Airport workers across Europe are staging walkouts to protest low wages and poor treatment.
Unions describe employer behavior as heartless during one of the busiest travel periods.
Christmas and winter holidays now regularly bring travel strikes.
Workers deliberately choose peak travel dates to increase pressure on employers.
Some unions announce strikes months in advance to signal serious intent.
Others announce action only days or hours before it begins.
Travelers should always check updates before departing to avoid sudden disruption.
With Christmas approaching quickly, multiple strikes will affect European travel this December.
Passengers facing cancellations or delays may qualify for replacement tickets or compensation.
Airlines and rail operators outline these rights in their official passenger policies.
Italy Braces for Coordinated Airport Shutdowns
Italian airport workers will stage a coordinated strike on 17 December.
The action will involve ground handlers, airline staff, and air traffic controllers.
ENAV air traffic control staff at Rome airport will join the walkout.
Assohandlers employees will also strike at major Italian airports.
These workers support airlines including Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet.
Employees at ITA Airways, Italy’s national airline, will participate in the strike.
Vueling staff will also walk out.
Ground staff working for Air France and KLM will join the action.
The strike will run from 1 pm until 5 pm.
Airports may still face disruption outside those hours.
Passengers should expect delays, longer queues, and baggage handling problems.
Airports in Milan, Rome, Venice, Naples, and Catania may face disruption.
Italy’s aviation authority, ENAC, has published a list of protected flights.
UK and Spain Face Extended Holiday Disruption
In the UK, easyJet ground staff at London Luton Airport will strike from 19 to 22 December.
They will resume strike action from 26 to 29 December.
Passengers may encounter delays at check-in desks and baggage areas.
London Heathrow Airport also expects disruption during the Christmas period.
Scandinavian Airlines Services cabin crew will strike from 22 to 24 December.
They will strike again on 26 December.
Flights to Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo may face cancellations.
The Unite union says low pay pushed some workers to rely on food banks.
This reportedly happened while staff traveled to expensive Scandinavian destinations.
Unite officer Callum Rochford accused SAS of exploiting employee goodwill.
He said the airline must now accept responsibility for canceled Christmas flights.
In Spain, baggage handling strikes continue at Ryanair-served airports.
Azul Handling staff have protested weekly since the summer.
Workers demand improved conditions, fair bonuses, and stable employment contracts.
Strikes will continue until 31 December.
Staff will walk out on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Action will occur early mornings, afternoons, and late evenings.
Passengers may face delays at Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, and Palma airports.
Other affected airports include Alicante, Ibiza, Seville, Valencia, and Tenerife South.
More Italian Airport Strikes Planned for January
Italy will face additional airport disruption after the New Year.
On 9 January, CUB Transporti has called a nationwide four-hour strike.
Ground staff across Italy will walk out from 1 pm to 5 pm.
Passengers may experience flight delays and cancellations.
Swissport Italia staff at Milan Linate Airport will also strike that day.
Their walkout will last 24 hours.
Further disruption may affect Verona airport on 31 January.
ENAV air traffic control staff will strike on that date.
ENAC has released another list of guaranteed flights for travelers.
