A wave of strikes is set to impact European aviation this Fall, with workers in Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal planning industrial action in September. Airlines like easyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air are expected to face disruptions due to the strikes. The industrial action includes walk-outs by airport ground staff and flight attendants, affecting multiple airlines and airports.
In Italy, various strikes are scheduled for September, with easyJet flight staff at Catania Fontanarossa Airport and Swissport employees at Milan Linate Airport planning a 24-hour walkout on September 6. Additionally, airport workers at Pisa International Airport and Florence Airport will hold a four-hour strike on the same day. The Hungarian airline Wizz Air aims to minimize the impact of these strikes on its operations.
Further disruptions are anticipated in France, where air traffic controllers are planning a strike from September 18 to 19 due to failed negotiations over pay. The strikes are part of a larger protest against the 2026 budget plans, even if Prime Minister François Bayrou faces a vote of confidence on September 8.
Travelers to France should stay informed about potential strikes affecting various modes of transportation. In Spain, Azul Handling baggage staff, part of the Ryanair Group, will conduct strikes from 5 am to 9 am on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for the remainder of 2025, impacting airports like Alicante, Barcelona, Madrid, and others.
Additionally, ground staff in Spain, represented by the Metallurgical and Related Industries Union, will continue to strike periodically for the rest of 2025, demanding increased pay and compensation for night shifts. Disruptions are expected at major airports in Portugal, including Lisbon, Porto, Faro, and others. Menzies Aviation has been approached for comments on the situation.
