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Christmas is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods in Europe. In December 2025, it is also shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable. Airport staff, ground handlers, airline crews and transport workers across several European countries have announced coordinated strike actions during the peak holiday season, raising the risk of delays, cancellations and missed connections.
Ethan Brooks
Updated Dec 16, 2025
5 min read
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According to reporting from international news outlets such as Euronews , AP News and The Independent, airport and transport workers across Europe have announced strike action during the peak Christmas travel period. These walkouts are largely linked to ongoing disputes over pay, working conditions and staff shortages, increasing the risk of delays and cancellations for holiday travellers.
This guide brings together verified strike information, outlines which countries and airports are affected, and explains what passengers can do to reduce disruption during their Christmas journeys.
December travel in Europe operates close to full capacity even in normal conditions. Any reduction in staffing can ripple across entire airport systems.
Several factors make holiday strikes particularly disruptive:
Flights are fuller, leaving fewer rebooking options
Airport staffing levels are already stretched
Weather-related delays amplify the impact of walkouts
Many strikes involve ground handling or air traffic services, not just cabin crew
As reported by multiple European transport unions, unions intentionally choose high-impact travel periods to increase leverage during negotiations.
Italy is one of the countries facing the most clearly defined strike action this December.
On 17 December, a coordinated four-hour walkout is planned between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm, involving:
Air traffic control staff employed by ENAV
Ground handling workers represented by Assohandlers
Cabin crew and ground staff at ITA Airways
Vueling airline personnel
Ground staff serving Air France and KLM
Major airports expected to feel the impact include Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Venice, Naples and Catania.
Although the strike window is limited, Italian aviation authorities warn that delays may occur throughout the day due to aircraft repositioning issues. Italy’s civil aviation authority has published a list of guaranteed flights, but travellers should expect longer queues at check-in and baggage claim.
London airports are also preparing for holiday disruption, particularly at Luton and Heathrow.
From 19–22 December and again from 26–29 December, ground staff supporting easyJet operations at Luton Airport are scheduled to strike. These workers are responsible for:
Check-in services
Baggage handling
Aircraft turnaround operations
Passengers may face slower processing times even if flights operate as scheduled.
Additional disruption is expected at Heathrow between 22–24 December and 26 December, when Scandinavian Airlines Services cabin crew are set to walk out. Flights connecting London with Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo are most likely to be affected.
Union representatives have publicly stated that rising living costs in Scandinavian hubs have made existing pay agreements unsustainable.
Spain’s disruption is not limited to a single day. According to multiple European news reports, baggage handling staff working for Azul Handling, a Ryanair partner, have been conducting rolling strikes since the summer.
Until 31 December, walkouts are scheduled on:
Wednesdays
Fridays
Saturdays
Sundays
Strike windows occur several times per day, including early morning and late evening hours.
Airports affected include Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Valencia, Seville, Ibiza and Tenerife South. The primary impact is expected in baggage delivery, check-in queues and aircraft turnaround times.
Portugal experienced a nationwide general strike earlier in December that affected airports, rail services and urban transport. While the largest action has passed, unions have not ruled out further disruption if negotiations stall.
Meanwhile, international travel outlets report intermittent transport disruptions across parts of France, Switzerland and Belgium, particularly affecting rail connections to major airports. These secondary disruptions can be just as problematic for travellers relying on connections.
Even when flights are not cancelled outright, strike activity often causes:
Extended check-in and security queues
Delayed baggage delivery
Missed connections
Last-minute gate changes
Rebookings to unfamiliar airports
If your flight is cancelled or significantly delayed, European passenger rights regulations may entitle you to rebooking, refunds or compensation, depending on the circumstances.
Travel experts recommend taking several precautions if you are flying in Europe this December:
Check your airline’s flight status frequently in the 48 hours before departure
Arrive at the airport earlier than usual
Avoid tight connections when booking last-minute itineraries
Keep essential items in carry-on luggage
Download airline and airport apps for real-time updates
Many travellers also choose to ensure they have reliable mobile data access, particularly if they are rerouted to a different country or airport at short notice. Having instant connectivity can make it significantly easier to manage rebookings, accommodation changes and transport alternatives. Options such as a Europe eSIM can help travellers stay connected without relying on crowded airport Wi-Fi or closed SIM card kiosks.
The common thread across all December 2025 strike reporting is uncertainty. Some walkouts are confirmed weeks in advance, while others are announced at the last minute. Flexibility, preparation and access to reliable information are the best tools travellers have.
If you are travelling through Europe this Christmas, stay informed, monitor official airline communications, and plan for longer airport stays than usual.
