European travelers should brace for disruptions as multiple strikes across the continent are set to affect flights, trains, and public transport services throughout the winter holiday period.
Italy: Nationwide Transport and Air Traffic Strikes
A major 24-hour general strike is planned for December 13, affecting train, tram, and plane services across Italy. Organized by the USB union, the walkout is a protest against the government’s economic policies, which union leaders claim exacerbate social inequalities. Additionally, TechnoSky air navigation service staff and air traffic controllers will hold a 24-hour strike on December 15, which is expected to impact Italy’s major airports.
Commuters in Italy’s cities will also face delays due to a four-hour national public transport strike on January 10, called by the FAISA-CONFAIL union. The walkout will likely disrupt buses, trams, ferries, and metro lines, although long-distance rail services and taxis should remain unaffected. Train services in Florence will experience delays on January 12 due to a strike by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana staff, and tram services in the city will also be impacted on January 25.
France: Ongoing Rail Strikes
French train services are already affected by ongoing strikes that started in mid-December and are expected to continue until Christmas. Both high-speed TGV and regional TER services, along with international routes, will be disrupted as railway workers protest against the French state rail company’s increasing privatisation of regional routes. Affected services will be listed in timetables 48 hours in advance, but travelers are advised to check for updates before departure.
Ports in France are also facing strikes, with dockworkers planning protests on December 9 and 10 over pay and retirement benefits. Meanwhile, easyJet staff in France have filed an indefinite strike notice in protest of the company’s closure of its Toulouse hub, which could lead to further disruptions across the airline’s operations until mid-December.
Scotland: Edinburgh Airport Flight Grounding
In Scotland, Edinburgh Airport will experience significant flight disruptions from December 18 to January 6 due to a strike by tanker drivers over a pay dispute. Both international and domestic flights are expected to be grounded during this period.
Finland: Finnair Strike Disruptions
Finnair passengers have already been affected by flight cancellations due to a strike by the Finnish Air Line Pilots Association. The airline cancelled 300 flights on December 9 and 13, impacting approximately 33,000 passengers. The strike may cause additional disruptions on the surrounding days as well.
Spain: Nationwide Bus Strikes
Spain’s ongoing nationwide bus strike, which began in late November, is set to continue into December, particularly affecting regional bus services in Murcia and Andalusia. The strike, organized by the Confederación General del Trabajo (CGT) union, is aimed at securing better working conditions for drivers and allowing them to retire without financial penalty.
Travel Advice
Passengers are urged to check the status of their travel services regularly, as these strikes may cause last-minute disruptions. If your flight or train is delayed or cancelled, you are entitled to compensation or a new ticket. Keep an eye on official strike announcements and updated timetables to avoid being caught off guard during the busy winter travel season.
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