Brits travelling to France, Greece, and Italy have been issued a warning of potential delays and disruptions due to upcoming strikes affecting various airline and transport services. The strikes are expected to cause chaos for thousands of Brits planning to travel to European holiday destinations. EasyJet flight attendants in Italy are scheduled to go on strike on Wednesday, April 9, which may result in a ripple effect of disrupted air travel across the UK and Europe. The strike is planned for four hours between 10.30am and 2.30pm local time and is anticipated to impact flights to and from Milan and Naples the most. EasyJet has assured customers that they are working to minimize disruptions and will contact passengers directly with options for rebooking.
In Greece, air traffic controllers are set to join public sector workers in a 24-hour strike on Wednesday, informing that they will only handle essential flights such as emergencies, medical services, humanitarian aid, and military flights. Meanwhile, in France, travellers over the upcoming Easter weekend could face disruptions due to a potential train strike on the SNCF rail network, threatened by the SudRail union from April 17 to June 2 regarding roster issues. The strikes across different European countries could create a perfect storm of delays for individuals travelling to these popular destinations.
During a discussion on the implications of the easyJet strikes, one prominent flight compensation lawyer highlighted the potential financial impact on the budget airline. Anton Radchenko, CEO of compensation experts AirAdvisor, explained that airline staff strikes, especially involving flight attendants, can significantly disrupt operations, leading to flight cancellations and delays. This, in turn, can affect subsequent flights and cause a ripple effect across the network, impacting services between the UK and Italy, for example.
Radchenko further noted a rising trend of staff strikes causing challenges for airlines in 2025, with demands for better pay and working conditions seen across major European economies. Previous incidents, such as easyJet pilots striking in February and Finnair staff walking out in March, have already resulted in flight cancellations and disruptions on a significant scale. Additionally, airlines may incur substantial costs from compensating affected passengers and arranging alternative staffing during strikes, further emphasizing the financial implications of such industrial actions.
For travellers affected by flight cancellations or delays due to industrial action, Radchenko advised collecting evidence like SMS or emails mentioning strikes as the reason for disruption. The air passenger rights regulation entitles passengers to compensation ranging from £220 to £520 for flights delayed by over three hours or cancelled due to airline staff strikes. He recommended using AirAdvisor’s compensation calculator to determine potential claims before initiating the claim process.
As Brits prepare for holidays and travel plans to European destinations, the looming strikes in France, Greece, and Italy serve as a cautionary reminder to stay informed and prepared for potential disruptions. With the travel industry facing challenges from ongoing labour disputes and strikes, travellers are encouraged to monitor updates from airlines and transport services, collect relevant documentation in case of disruption, and be aware of their rights regarding compensation for delayed or cancelled flights. This year, careful planning and awareness of potential travel disruptions will be essential for those embarking on European journeys.