Here’s when European airports and trains are set to strike this summer – The Points Guy
The summer travel season is upon us. We hope your travel will be trouble-free, but there are several strikes to look out for across Europe.
If you’re planning to travel during these dates and need advice, read our guide to insurance policies and strike coverage. Additionally, find out what you may be entitled to in terms of compensation if your flight is delayed or otherwise affected.
Here are the European strikes to look out for when you book summer travel.
Related: The best credit cards that offer trip cancellation and interruption insurance
UK rail and London Underground
When: July 29 (rail) and July 23-28 (London Underground)
Members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers across 14 different rail operators are due to strike July 29.
Rail services will be affected across the U.K. during this period. Those with travel planned during these days should expect severe disruption in the form of delays and cancellations.
Further compounding these strike dates, London Underground union members are staging their own walkouts between July 23 and 28.
Related: You are entitled to a refund for your canceled flight — even if the airline says you aren’t
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
When: Aug. 4-8
Currently, staff members at Gatwick Ground Services — which handles services for British Airways and Vueling — are voting on an improved pay offer from the company. At present, the union members intend to strike from Aug. 4 to 8, though signs are promising that the walkouts will be canceled.
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Ryanair pilots in Belgium
When: July 29-30
Ryanair pilots based in Belgium will stage a weekend walkout in late July. Previous strikes on July 15 and 16 saw around 80% participation from Ryanair’s Belgian pilots, resulting in around 100 flight cancellations.
Portugal airports
When: July 30-31 and Aug. 5-6
On July 19, overtime workers at Portuguese airports represented by various unions went on strike for an indefinite period. Ground handlers in the same unions also plan to strike July 30-31 and Aug. 5-6.
Bottom line
One thing worth remembering regarding strikes is that nothing is certain, and it’s always possible that unions and employers will reach a deal.
However, the current economic crisis is making things difficult for everyone. Workers are struggling through the deepening cost-of-living crisis, and travel companies are desperate to appease shareholders following the pandemic. The pressures on both sides of the fence seem unlikely to evaporate anytime soon.
The chances of more strikes this year are high across the travel sector. Keep an eye on these dates and plan accordingly.
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Additional reporting by Matt Blake.
