More:
Original public domain image from Flickr
With state schools closing for summer holidays, travel plans may experience disruptions due to strikes taking place across Europe.
In some relief for travelers, the previously scheduled 31-day strike by security staff at Heathrow airport has been called off. However, other strikes disrupting travel at a UK airport and throughout Europe are still proceeding as planned.
With last summer’s travel heavily disrupted by delays, cancellations, and lost luggage due to strikes and staff shortages, what can we expect for 2023?
Here’s what you need to understand about these industrial actions which may impact travel and holidays in Europe. Don’t forget to understand your rights if your plans are affected.
Strike at easyJet
Along with canceling 1,700 Gatwick summer flights, affecting around 180,000 passengers during July and August, there will also be a strike by cabin crew in Portugal from July 17-25, as reported by local media.
According to the reports, easyJet has decided to cancel 69% of its Portugal departures from Porto, Lisbon, and Faro during the strike days, accounting for 350 flights.
For information on whether your flight is affected, please contact easyJet.
Strike at Ryanair
Ryanair pilots in Belgium intend to strike on July 15-16, demanding better wages and improved working conditions while opposing any reduction in rest days.
Approximately 140 departures from Brussels’ Charleroi airport may be affected, but the exact number of participating pilots and resulting cancellations are yet to be determined.
Contact Ryanair to find out if your flight is affected.
Birmingham Airport
While the dispute with security staff at London’s Heathrow has been resolved, the situation at Birmingham airport has not changed, and an indefinite strike is set to begin from July 18.
According to the Unite union, the strike action will affect the airport’s security and terminal maintenance operations, possibly causing delays for carriers like TUI, EasyJet, Wizz, Ryanair, Lufthansa, and Emirates.
Sulinder Singh, a Unite regional officer, stated: ‘The blame for the disruption to passengers now facing significant security delays at Birmingham Airport lies entirely with the employer.
‘This dispute could have been settled very early if Birmingham Airport had proposed a pay offer that made up for the deterioration in wages its workers have experienced. There’s still time for that to happen, but the airport must present an agreement that our members can accept.’
Please contact Birmingham Airport to find out if your flight is affected.
Air Europa and Air Nostrum
Air Europa pilots, Spain’s third-largest airline, held a strike from June 19 to July 2. Similarly, Air Nostrum, which had been striking every Monday and Friday since February, commenced an indefinite daily strike on June 6.
However, as per Reuters, Spain requires airlines and pilots to maintain a minimum number of flights during strikes, resulting in less disruption compared to other countries.
Planned strikes by airport employees in Sweden and staff at Switzerland’s Geneva Airport have been canceled. Italy’s Air Traffic Control has also confirmed that no strikes will take place from July 27 to September 5.
Contact your airline to find out if your flight is affected.
Source My Celebrity Life.