Europe's Travel Strikes: Flight And Train Disruption You Can Expect In September And October

Some action is timed to coincide with France's Rugby World Cup.

Europe is a hive of strike action right now, with many employees unhappy that sky-high inflation has not been matched by higher wages.

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Walkouts are planned all over Europe, showing that it always pays to check before you travel.

Luckily, we have gathered all of the strike information together below.

Read on to find out where and when are walkouts taking place.

If your flight or train is cancelled or delayed, you will be entitled to a new ticket or compensation. Read our guide for the full details.

France's largest union for air traffic controllers (SNCTA) has called on workers to conduct nationwide strikes on 15 September and 13 October

The first walkout will coincide with the Rugby World Cup, which will draw thousands of people to the country. The union slammed the "silence of the civil aviation authority (Direction générale de l'Aviation civile, DGAC)" amidst surging inflation. 

The action could see widespread flight cancellations and impact flights from other countries that cross French airspace. 

Paris transport strikes threatened over Rugby World Cup

Paris Metro workers have threatened strike action during the Rugby World Cup, which runs from 8 September to 28 October at Stade de France, Saint-Denis.

While train drivers will receive a bonus in recognition of the additional services they must run during the event, station staff have not been offered additional pay.

Members of trade union FO-RATP, which represents public transport workers in Paris, have threatened to walk out over the issue. Negotiations are currently ongoing.

Italy: Flights cancelled due to airport strikes

Ground staff and workers at airports around Italy will take part in a 24-hour walkout on 8 September.

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Unions are calling for greater job security and pay increases amid soaring inflation. 

Baggage handlers represented by the FLAI Trasporti union are expected to take part in the walkout.

It is still unclear how widespread the disruption will be but some airlines have already started cancelling flights 

ITA Airways said it has been "forced to make changes" to its operations, cancelling 30 domestic flights due to the industrial action. Passengers will be able to rebook for free or request a refund if their flight is cancelled or delayed by more than 5 hours, the airline added. 

Ryanair has also cancelled a small number of flights, saying passengers will be notified as soon as possible if their journey is affected. 

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EasyJet has warned of possible delays and disruption but hasn't yet cancelled any flights. 

Italy's civil aviation authority ENAC has reassured travellers that flights are guaranteed to go ahead during strikes from 7am to 10am and 6pm to 9pm. 

Baggage handlers at airports around the country will also strike for 24 hours on 29 September.

Air traffic control strikes planned in Italy

On 16 September, air traffic controllers at airports around the country will stage an eight-hour walkout from 10am to 6pm.

Some flights are protected during strikes in Italy. Italy's civil aviation authority (ENAC) will publish a list of guaranteed flights a few days before the strike.

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Flights scheduled to depart before 10am and after 6pm shouldn’t be affected by the strike, although there may be some knock-on effects.

England: Wizz Air ground handlers call strikes at Luton Airport

Ground handling staff at Luton Airport have called 24-hour strikes on 13 September.

The strikes will cause "huge disruption" for Wizz Air passengers, according to union Unite.

Employees of the airline's ground handler, GH London, have called the strike in protest of poor working conditions and unfair treatment.

If you know of a big strike happening in your country that we have missed, we'd love to hear from you via Twitter.

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