Airport employees across Europe are walking out to protest what unions describe as unfair and low-paying employment practices.
Many workers accuse employers of showing “Grinch-style” behavior during the festive season.
Christmas and winter holiday travel now regularly coincides with strikes, as workers target peak travel periods.
They hope the timing strengthens their demands for better pay and working conditions.
Some strikes appear on calendars months ahead of time.
Others emerge with little warning, sometimes only hours before they begin.
Travelers should check their plans carefully to avoid sudden disruptions and delays.
With Christmas only days away, several train and airport strikes are scheduled across Europe this December.
Canceled or delayed journeys may entitle passengers to replacement tickets or financial compensation.
Travelers should review airline and rail policies to understand their rights.
Italy Prepares for Coordinated Airport Walkouts
On 17 December, airport staff across Italy will carry out coordinated strike action.
The walkout will involve ground handlers, airline crew, and air traffic controllers.
ENAV staff at Rome airport, who manage air traffic control, will join the strike.
Assohandlers employees will also participate, covering ground services at major airports.
These workers support airlines including Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet.
Staff at ITA Airways, Italy’s national carrier, will also walk out.
Vueling employees and ground staff for Air France and KLM will take part as well.
The strike will run from 1 pm to 5 pm.
Airports may experience disruptions throughout the day, including delays and longer queues.
Travelers may face issues with check-in and baggage handling.
Major airports affected include Milan, Rome, Venice, Naples, and Catania.
Italy’s civil aviation authority, ENAC, has published a list of guaranteed flights.
UK and Spain See Extended Holiday Disruptions
In the UK, easyJet ground staff at London Luton Airport will strike from 19 to 22 December.
They will also walk out again from 26 to 29 December.
Passengers should expect possible delays with check-in and baggage services.
London Heathrow Airport also expects disruption during the Christmas period.
Scandinavian Airlines Services cabin crew will strike from 22 to 24 December and again on 26 December.
Flights to hubs such as Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo may face cancellations.
Unite union members say poor pay forced some workers to rely on food banks while traveling.
Unite regional officer Callum Rochford accused SAS of exploiting staff goodwill.
He said the company now bears responsibility for canceled Christmas flights.
In Spain, baggage handling strikes continue at Ryanair-served airports.
Azul Handling staff have staged weekly walkouts since summer.
Workers demand better conditions, fair bonuses, and greater job security.
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, and Seville.
More Italian Airport Strikes Scheduled for January
Italy will face further airport disruption in the new year.
On 9 January, CUB Transporti has called a nationwide four-hour strike.
Ground staff will walk out from 1 pm to 5 pm at airports across the country.
Flight delays and cancellations may follow.
On the same day, Swissport Italia staff at Milan Linate Airport plan a 24-hour strike.
Additional disruption may hit Verona airport on 31 January.
ENAV air traffic control staff will walk out on that date.
ENAC has published another list of guaranteed flights for affected travelers.
