European Travel Alerts: Strikes Disrupt Flights, Trains, and Buses in December
Plan ahead and check for updates as strikes across Europe are set to disrupt air and rail travel throughout December.
Italy: Nationwide Walkouts in December
Prepare for widespread travel disruption across Italy on several key dates in December due to planned strikes.
On 13 December, a 24-hour general strike is scheduled that could impact airline, rail, and public transport services across the country. Ferry services to Sicily and Sardinia, as well as motorway toll booths, may also experience delays and cancellations. Organized by the USB (Unione Sindacale di Base) union, the strike protests the government’s economic policies they say “increase social inequalities” and “discourage deindustrialisation”.
Italy’s major airports will also be impacted by strikes. Both
TechnoSky air navigation service staff (24-hour strike) and air traffic controllers (shorter strike) have announced walkouts on 15 December.
Further impacting commuters in Italy’s cities is a four-hour national public transport strike on 10 January. The FAISA-CONFAIL union anticipates delays and cancellations for buses, trams, commuter trains, water buses and ferries, and underground metro lines. Long-distance rail services and taxis are not expected to be affected.
Trains in Florence are also facing disruption as staff at the railway network manager Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) will walk out, leading to delays and cancellations from 12 January. Commuters should also anticipate potential tram disruptions in Florence on 25 January as Gest staff, who operate the trams, hold a 24-hour strike.
France: Protests Expected to Continue Through Christmas
A series of strikes planned for 11 December onwards aim to disrupt train travel throughout December (and potentially until Christmas).Railway workers from France’s four major railway unions are protesting against the increased privatisation of regional railway routes by the SNCF, the French state rail company.
While schedules should reflect affected services 48 hours in advance, thorough planning and checking travel itineraries are in advance
Read more about travel strikes in France throughout December
EC
France: easyJet Staff Stage Indefinite Strike
easyJet will continue to face disruption due to an indefinite strike undertaken by French staff announced in September, which is ongoing until 16 December. While the precise dates remain unknown, travellers are advised that further strikes could hit
France**: easyJet Passengers in Mind
Docking delays and uncertainty:
French ports are anticipating industrial action on **
9 and 10 December. The CGT (general confederation of labour) union organizes the strike, demanding better wages and improved retirement plans for workers problems with effort
Scotland: Edinburgh Airport Prime Flights
Flights in and out of Edinburgh Airport could be grounded from 5 am on 18 December. The disruption is attributed to a 19-day strike by the airport’s tanker drivers.
Travelers are strongly encouraged to check airlines and train companies for the latest updates.
**Across Europe: Finnair
Finnair has announced the cancellation of 300 flights on **
