Airport employees across Europe are walking out to protest what unions call mean-spirited behavior by low-paying employers.
Workers accuse companies of squeezing wages during the busiest and most profitable travel season of the year.
Christmas trips and winter holidays now often overlap with strike action across transport networks.
Workers deliberately choose this period to push for fair pay and better working conditions.
Some strikes appear on official schedules months in advance, giving travelers time to prepare.
Others surface suddenly, sometimes only hours before planes or trains should depart.
Passengers should always check travel updates before leaving home to avoid sudden disruption.
With Christmas just days away, several airport and rail strikes will affect European travel this December.
Canceled or delayed journeys may qualify passengers for refunds, rebooked tickets, or compensation.
Travelers should review airline and rail rules to understand their specific rights.
Italy Braces for Nationwide Airport Action
On 17 December, airport workers across Italy will carry out coordinated strike action.
The walkout will involve ground handlers, airline crews, and air traffic controllers.
ENAV air traffic control staff at Rome airport will take part in the strike.
Assohandlers employees will also join, covering ground services at Italy’s main airports.
These staff support airlines such as Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet.
Employees from ITA Airways, Italy’s national airline, will also walk out.
Vueling workers and ground staff for Air France and KLM will participate.
The strike will run from 1 pm to 5 pm.
Passengers may still experience delays throughout the day.
Airports could face long queues at check-in and baggage drop areas.
Disruption may affect major hubs including Milan, Rome, Venice, Naples, and Catania.
Italy’s aviation authority, ENAC, has published a list of flights that must operate.
UK and Spain Face Prolonged Holiday Chaos
In the UK, easyJet ground staff at London Luton Airport will strike from 19 to 22 December.
They will resume strike action again from 26 to 29 December.
Passengers may face delays with check-in desks and baggage handling services.
London Heathrow Airport also expects Christmas disruption.
Scandinavian Airlines Services cabin crew will strike from 22 to 24 December and again on 26 December.
Flights to Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo are likely to suffer cancellations or delays.
The Unite union says low pay has forced some staff to rely on food banks.
Workers struggle to afford travel to expensive Scandinavian hub cities.
Unite official Callum Rochford accused SAS of exploiting staff loyalty.
He said the airline now bears responsibility for canceled Christmas flights.
In Spain, baggage handling strikes continue at airports served by Ryanair.
Azul Handling staff have staged regular walkouts since the summer.
Workers demand better conditions, reliable contracts, and fair bonus payments.
Until 31 December, staff will strike on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
They will walk out during early mornings, afternoons, and late evenings.
Passengers may face delays at airports including Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Palma, and Valencia.
Other affected airports include Alicante, Ibiza, Tenerife South, Seville, and Lanzarote.
More Disruption Looms for Italy in January
Italy will face further airport strikes in the new year.
On 9 January, the CUB Transporti union has called a nationwide four-hour walkout.
Ground staff will strike from 1 pm to 5 pm at airports across the country.
Flight delays and cancellations may follow throughout the day.
On the same date, Swissport Italia staff at Milan Linate Airport plan a 24-hour strike.
Later in the month, Verona airport may also face disruption.
ENAV air traffic control staff plan strike action there on 31 January.
ENAC has released another list of guaranteed flights for affected passengers.
