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It’s a tough time to be working in the aviation industry. Faced with staff shortages and huge levels of disruption, many workers at airlines and airports are facing long, stressful hours and poor working conditions. And, thanks to the cost of living crisis, loads of them are doing it all for lower wages, too.
Needless to say, it’s no wonder that so many staff at airports and airlines have been going on strike. From Italy and Belgium to Greece and France, airports across Europe have seen thousands of flights delayed and cancelled by industrial action over the past couple of years.
Strikes can, of course, have a serious impact on your holiday, so it’s best to be as informed about them as possible. Read on for our guide to who’s going on strike in Europe right now, where and when those strikes will happen – and whether you need to worry about them.
German pilots’ strike begins
After last-minute strikes by members of Vereinigung Cockpit, a German commercial pilots’ union, were announced on Sunday April 12 for Monday and Tuesday, more have already begun.
Kicking off at 12.01am on Thursday April 16 and set to conclude at 11.59pm on Friday April 17, this round of industrial action reportedly calls for arbitration to resolve the dispute over pensions.
Earlier this week, the strikes were thought to have placed at least 80 percent of flights from both Frankfurt and Munich at risk of delay or cancellation.
The union represents more than 10,000 members, and those who are striking work across Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Lufthansa Cargo AG, Lufthansa CityLine, and Eurowings GmbH.
What happens if your airline goes on strike?
If strikes cause your flight to be delayed or cancelled, the airline is usually obliged to help you and/or provide compensation. However, this often depends on the conditions of your airline – some airlines won’t cover strikes out of their control, such as airport or baggage handler strikes. Your compensation also depends on the extent of your travel insurance. These should both be easily accessed on either your airline or insurer’s website.
If you book your flight already knowing that a strike is set to take place (ie. it’s already been announced by the union), you are exceptionally unlikely to receive compensation. Before you book, be sure to check for any strike dates not just at your intended airline but also at departure and arrival airports.
Of course, it’s worth bearing in mind that the threat of a strike is exactly that: a threat. Strikes are primarily used as bargaining chips in negotiations between unions and employers, so there’s always the chance that both sides will come to an agreement before one actually takes place.
In any case, if your journey involves any of the above airlines, destinations and dates, be sure to keep an eye on your flight status and prepare for a more disrupted journey than expected.
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