Europe is experiencing several ongoing and upcoming strikes that could disrupt travel throughout the holiday season. While some strikes have been planned for months, others have been announced last minute, making it essential for travelers to check schedules before heading to their destinations. Here’s what you need to know:
Italy: National Train, Tram, and Plane Strikes
10 January 2025: A four-hour national public transport strike has been called by the FAISA-CONFAIL union, which will likely impact buses, trams, commuter trains, water buses, ferries, and underground metro lines. Long-distance trains and taxis are not expected to be affected.
12 January 2025: Train services in Florence will be disrupted by a walkout involving the railway network manager Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), causing delays and cancellations, particularly for long-distance services.
25 January 2025: Another strike in Florence will disrupt tram services due to a 24-hour protest by staff at Gest, which operates the trams.
France: Train Strikes Over Christmas
From 11 December 2024 onwards, multiple train strikes are taking place in France, with no fixed end date. This includes disruptions to both high-speed TGV and regional TER services. Railway unions are protesting the increasing privatization of regional railway routes by the French state rail company SNCF.
Check for disruptions 48 hours in advance via rail timetables, but it’s advisable to confirm on the day of travel.
Portugal: Major Flight Delays During Christmas
Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day (24 Dec – 1 Jan 2024): Expect maximum flight delays at airports in Portugal due to strike action by workers at Portway, the company that handles ground services at airports. The strikes involve 24-hour walkouts from midnight on 24 December to 25 December and from 31 December to 1 January, triggered by dissatisfaction over pay and allowances.
Scotland: Edinburgh Fuel Tank Drivers’ Strike Called Off
A planned strike by fuel tank drivers at Edinburgh Airport has been called off after an agreement was reached with the union Unite on pay. The threat of disruption has been alleviated for now.
UK: Train Strikes Over New Year’s Weekend
31 December 2024 and 2 January 2025: Expect delays on the West Coast Main Line, as Avanti West Coast train workers will strike due to a dispute over pay for work on rest days. This is organized by the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT).
Further strikes are planned every Sunday between 12 January and 25 May, resulting in extended disruptions.
Spain: Nationwide Bus Strikes
A nationwide bus strike that began in late November is continuing into December, causing significant disruption to local and long-distance bus services, especially in Murcia and Andalusia.
The strike is organized by the Confederación General del Trabajo (CGT) union, demanding better working conditions for bus drivers and the ability to retire early without financial penalty.
What You Should Do
If you’re traveling to or within these countries, it’s important to check the latest updates on your transportation provider’s website before leaving home. In the event of cancellations or delays, you are entitled to a new ticket or compensation.
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