European Airport Strikes Threaten Christmas Travel Chaos: What You Must Know

European airport strikes have become a regular feature of the holiday season. Workers are targeting the busiest travel period. They seek better pay and improved working conditions. This industrial action creates Christmas travel chaos for thousands of passengers. Travelers must check their flight status constantly. This is vital to avoid last-minute disruption.

United Kingdom: London Airports Face Walkouts

Two major London airports are bracing for significant December flight disruption. London Luton Airport (LTN) faces a multi-day walkout. easyJet ground staff are planning action. These staff are employed by DHL. The strike is scheduled for two periods. The first ran from December 19 to 22. The second runs from December 26 to 29. This impacts check-in and baggage handling. Over 400 flights could be affected.

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) also faces a SAS cabin crew walkout. More than 130 cabin crew are striking. The walkouts are planned for December 22, 23, 24, and 26. Flights to SAS hubs are most at risk. This includes Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo. The union Unite claims the pay offer is below inflation. This forces some staff to use food banks, according to Unite.

Spain: Ongoing Ryanair Ground Handling Strikes

Ryanair ground handling operations across Spain face continued disruption. Staff from Azul Handling, Ryanair's ground partner, are striking. This action has been ongoing since the summer. It will continue until December 31.

Walkouts occur every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. They target three key daily time slots: 5-9 am, 12-3 pm, and 9 pm-midnight. Airports affected include: Alicante, Barcelona-El Prat, Madrid-Barajas, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca. Passengers should expect longer queues. Baggage collection delays are highly likely.

Italy: Disruption Extends into the New Year

Italy's aviation sector is preparing for further action. This follows a coordinated December 17 strike. The country faces an air traffic control strike risk in January.

• January 9, 2026: A national four-hour ground staff strike is called. This runs from 1-5 pm. Separately, Swissport Italia ground staff plan a 24-hour walkout. This specifically impacts Milan Linate Airport.
• January 31, 2026: ENAV air traffic control staff will strike at Verona airport. This four-hour walkout is from 1-5 pm.

Italy's civil aviation authority, ENAC, publishes a list of guaranteed flights. These flights must operate during strike periods. Travelers should consult this list before flying.

Broader Operational Challenges: The EES Rollout

Beyond labor disputes, a new system adds to travel complexity. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being rolled out. This digital border control system is for non-EU nationals. It requires biometric data registration.

ACI Europe, representing the continent's airports, issued a warning. They report border processing times increased by up to 70 per cent. Waiting times can reach three hours at peak periods. The system launched in October 2025. ACI Europe urges the EU to fix technical issues. They warn against increasing the registration threshold in January.

This combination of strikes and new border checks creates a challenging environment. It impacts commercial aviation news and operations across the continent. Airlines and airports must enact robust contingency plans. Passengers must remain vigilant and plan for delays.

Key Takeaways for Travelers

• UK airports face strikes: easyJet ground staff at Luton (Dec 19-22, 26-29) and SAS cabin crew at Heathrow (Dec 22-24, 26).
• Ryanair ground handling strikes in Spain continue every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until December 31.
• Italy faces national ground staff and Milan Linate walkouts on January 9, plus a Verona ATC strike on January 31.
• Non-EU travelers face delays up to three hours due to the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) rollout.