Saturday, August 31, 2024 UK, Germany, Portugal, Italy, and France brace for new strikes, potentially impacting the surging travel sector as disruptions loom across Europe. Strikes frequently take place across Europe, with workers halting their labor to demand improved wages and working conditions. Some strikes are scheduled well in advance, while others can be declared with little notice, making it essential to stay informed before traveling.
To help you plan accordingly, we’ve compiled all the latest strike information below. Continue reading to discover the locations and timings of upcoming walkouts. If your flight or train is canceled or delayed, you are entitled to receive a new ticket or compensation.
Germany: Discover Airline Staff Approve Indefinite Strikes In two separate votes, pilots and cabin crew of Lufthansa-owned Discover airline have overwhelmingly supported strike action. On Thursday, August 29, the strike period was extended by an additional day. The strikes are now scheduled from August 27 to September 1, affecting all Discover flights departing from Germany.
Discover operates a fleet of 27 aircraft, connecting its Frankfurt and Munich bases to popular vacation destinations throughout Europe and internationally. Portugal: Airport Strikes Poised to Disrupt Flights Ground workers at Portuguese airports, under the Portuguese Transport Workers Union (Sttamp), are scheduled to strike from midnight on August 31 until midnight on September 1. This strike may lead to flight delays and cancellations at major airports, including Lisbon and Porto.
Travelers are advised to confirm their flight status with airlines before traveling, as the strike has been called due to disputes over pay and working conditions. Italy: Strikes scheduled after peak summer season Italy’s transport sector is prohibited from striking between July 27 and September 5, a period when most Italians are on holiday, minimizing the likelihood of disruptions during the height of summer. However, several strikes are planned once this restriction period ends.
Italy Airport Strikes Scheduled for September 7, 2024 Travelers flying to, from, or within Italy on September 7 may face delays or cancellations. Pilots and cabin crew at ITA Airways, Italy’s flagship carrier, along with budget airline Wizz Air, plan to strike from 1-5 pm. During the same four-hour window, air traffic controllers at Rome Fiumicino and Olbia Airport, as well as baggage handlers at Milan Malpensa, Florence Amerigo Vespucci, and Pisa Galileo Galilei, are also scheduled to walk out.
For the latest information on potential disruptions, check Italy’s Civil Aviation Authority’s website closer to September 7. Italy Set for Nationwide Rail Strike on September 8, 2024 Train passengers in Italy may encounter disruptions on Sunday, September 8, as drivers, conductors, and other onboard staff across the country plan a 24-hour strike. This action could affect both regional and long-distance train services operated by state-owned Trenitalia and private operator Italo.
Italy Faces Nationwide Public Transport Strikes Public transport users in Italy may experience delays or cancellations on Monday, September 9, as staff from bus, tram, and commuter train services across the country plan to strike for eight hours. The timing and effects of the strike, supported by several of Italy’s major transport unions, will differ from city to city. Additionally, a 24-hour public transport strike is scheduled for September 20.
Alicante Airport: Security Staff Strike Prolonged The security staff strike at Alicante-Elche Airport in Spain has been extended beyond its original five-day duration from August 1-4. Additional strike dates include August 15, 16, 17, 18, 30, and 31. The airport, which serves the Costa Blanca region, will be impacted between 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM and 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM local time on these days.
UK: Train Strikes Called Off Planned train driver strikes at London North Eastern Railway (LNER) scheduled for weekends between August 31 and November 10 have been suspended following a last-minute agreement. Similarly, minor strikes on the London Underground set for September 4 have been canceled. In Scotland, threatened industrial action by train drivers at ScotRail has also been postponed due to a new pay offer, which union members will vote on by September 25.
However, a reduced number of services continues to operate, as some ScotRail staff members have been refusing to work overtime since July. ScotRail services connect major tourist destinations, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Inverness. France: Motorway Strikes Cause Summer Holiday Disruptions Workers on France’s Autoroutes du Sud (ASF) and Vinci motorways have launched a series of strikes this summer in protest against declining staff numbers.
Weekend walkouts earlier this month caused significant disruption for holidaymakers embarking on their first trips of the summer season. It remains uncertain whether additional strike actions will occur in the coming weeks. Netherlands: Public Transport Strikes Set for September A public transport strike has been announced in the Netherlands’ largest cities for September 11, a day earlier than initially planned, with the possibility of additional walkouts to follow.
The strike is timed ahead of the Cabinet’s budget proposal, as workers push for provisions that would allow those in physically demanding jobs to retire earlier. Transport services in Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam are expected to be affected..
