Airport Strikes in Europe: What Passengers Should Do

Strikes by air traffic controllers, ground staff or pilots regularly cause flight delays and cancellations in Europe. They happen most often in France, Italy, Belgium and the United Kingdom. In autumn 2023, for example, French air traffic controllers, Italian airport workers, staff at London Luton Airport and Ryanair pilots in Belgium all went on strike.

How to prepare for your trip

A few days before departure, check the news for strikes in your destination country and your transit country.
Give an up-to-date phone number and e-mail in your booking: that is where the airline sends notices about flight changes.
Leave extra time between flights if you are connecting on separate tickets.
Keep receipts for food, transport and hotels if your flight is delayed.

Passenger rights during a strike

EU Regulation 261/2004 covers flights from EU airports and flights to the EU on European airlines. If a flight is cancelled, the passenger can choose a refund or an alternative flight. During a long delay the airline must provide meals and, if needed, accommodation.

Financial compensation depends on who is on strike. A strike by the airline's own staff, according to the EU Court of Justice, usually does not release the airline from paying. A strike by air traffic controllers or airport workers is treated as an extraordinary circumstance, so no compensation is paid, but the right to a refund and to care remains.