Will European Airport Strikes Ruin Your Christmas Travel Plans?

December 22, 2025 at 03:53 PM•3 min read

[EASA](https://www.easa.europa.eu) warns European passengers of potential flight disruptions due to widespread airport and airline staff strikes,

Key Points

1The second phase of the London Luton Airport (LTN) ground-handling strike (Dec 26-29) was suspended following an improved pay offer to DHL staff, averting major disruption.
2Spain's Azul Handling walkouts, affecting Ryanair and other carriers, continue every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through December 31, 2025, with specific daily time windows.
3The four-hour ITA Airways ground and air crew strike on December 17 impacted major Italian hubs, but guaranteed flight windows were established by the civil aviation authority.
4Over 309 million passengers are expected to fly during the holiday period, amplifying the risk of delays and congestion caused by any industrial action.

A wave of industrial action across Europe threatens to disrupt Christmas travel disruption for millions of passengers. The disputes involve airport and airline staff seeking better pay and working conditions. This industrial action coincides with the peak holiday travel season. [European airport strikes] are impacting ground handling and check-in services at major hubs.

UK Strike Action Partially Averted

Travellers flying through the United Kingdom received a late reprieve. Ground-handling staff at London Luton Airport (LTN) had planned walkouts. These workers, employed by DHL and servicing easyJet, staged a three-day strike from December 19 to 22.

However, the second planned strike phase was suspended. The walkouts scheduled from December 26 to 29 were called off. This followed an improved pay offer from DHL to the Unite union members. This suspension avoids potential disruption to hundreds of flights during the busy post-Christmas period.

Ongoing Disruption in Spain and Italy

Spain Azul Handling walkouts continue to affect major Spanish airports. [Baggage handling crews] employed by Azul Handling are staging rolling walkouts. Azul Handling is a key contractor for low-cost carriers like Ryanair.

The strikes are scheduled every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This pattern will continue through December 31, 2025. Affected airports include Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Malaga, and Valencia. Walkouts occur during three specific daily time windows. These are 5:00-9:00 AM, 12:00-3:00 PM, and 9:00-11:59 PM local time. Passengers should expect longer check-in queues and delayed baggage delivery.

In Italy, ITA Airways ground staff and air crew held a four-hour stoppage. This action took place on December 17, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The walkout had the potential to disrupt flights at hubs like Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa. Italy’s civil aviation authority (ENAC) guaranteed certain flights. Flights scheduled between 7:00-10:00 AM and 6:00-9:00 PM were protected from the strike action.

Impact on Commercial Aviation News and Travel

This industrial action comes as European air travel is surging. Over 309 million passengers are expected to fly between mid-December and early January. This record demand, combined with reduced staffing, creates significant operational risk.

Experts warn of heavier congestion at security and boarding gates. The combination of high volume and strikes may cause last-minute cancellations. Airlines and airports must manage the operational strain. Passengers are advised to check their flight status frequently. They should also arrive earlier than usual for check-in and security. Travellers affected by delays or cancellations may be entitled to compensation under EU passenger rights rules. For the latest updates on flight operation news, travellers should consult official airline and airport channels.