Which European airports are most affected by strikes?
Strikes at European airports seem to have become a recurring feature of the Christmas travel period in recent years. Travelling during peak dates increasingly turns into a high-risk endeavour, particularly on key holiday days. However, this is also the time airport workers consider most effective to make their labour and economic demands heard.
London and Spanish airports are to suffer more delays and cancelations
At the height of the travel season, the main recommendation for passengers is to avoid last-minute travel and plan journeys carefully. Disruptions are especially concentrated at Spanish and London airports, currently the most affected by strike action, impacting both intra-European and long-haul flights.
The Nordic Hub, affected by the London strike
In London, Luton and Heathrow airports are set to be affected. At Heathrow, Scandinavian Airlines Services staff have announced strike action between 23 and 26 December, particularly impacting connections to Nordic hubs such as Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo. At Luton, easyJet’s ground handling staff continue strike action related to baggage handling, with a strong impact on flights to and from Spain.
Travellers are advised to plan their journeys around strike schedules
In Spain, airports including Barcelona-El Prat, Madrid-Barajas, Alicante, Málaga, Tenerife South, Valencia, Seville and Palma de Mallorca will experience strikes during specific time slots, allowing normal operations outside these periods. Until 31 December, strikes are scheduled on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, during the following times: from 5:00 to 9:00, 12:00 to 15:00, and 21:00 to 24:00.
These disruptions are linked to strike action by workers from Azul Handling, the ground handling company responsible for baggage services for Ryanair at several Spanish airports.
At Madrid-Barajas, strike action will take place on 23, 26 and 30 December, and again on 2 and 7 January, with longer time slots, from 8:00 to 12:00 and 18:00 to 22:00. Iberia, which has nearly 12,000 flights scheduled during the Christmas period, is expected to be among the airlines most affected.
