Strikes at European airports may affect tourists' New Year holidays: what to prepare for

New Year's travel in Europe this year may be accompanied by unpleasant surprises for passengers. Mass strikes by airport and airline employees in various countries threaten flight delays, baggage problems and schedule changes in the midst of the holiday season. Find out which European airports will be affected and how to prepare for your trip so as not to ruin your long-awaited holiday

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New Year's and Christmas trips to Europe this year may not go according to plan. A number of countries have already announced strikes by airline and airport employees, which could lead to flight delays, baggage problems and schedule disruptions. Tourists planning trips to Spain, the United Kingdom, Portugal and Italy are most at risk.

Spain

In Spain, employees of Azul Handling, which services Ryanair flights, have been on strike for several months. Employees responsible for loading and unloading aircraft periodically stop work several times a day. This directly affects the speed of aircraft servicing and passenger baggage handling.

The protests began in August and, according to the unions, will continue at least until the end of December. The strike covers five airports in the Canary Islands, as well as a number of airports in mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands. The main demands of the employees are overtime pay and job security guarantees for part-time employees.

Ryanair has stated that it does not plan to cancel flights or change schedules, but has acknowledged that delays are possible, especially during peak holiday periods.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, London Luton Airport will be operating intermittently. The reason is a multi-day strike by DHL ground handling staff. The protests are planned in two stages: from 19 to 22 December and from 26 to 29 December. According to preliminary estimates, this could affect more than 400 flights.

Passengers should be prepared for delays in departure and arrival, as well as possible changes in baggage handling and queues at check-in.

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Portugal and Italy

Strikes by aviation workers have also been announced in Portugal and Italy. Details have not yet been disclosed, but experts warn that even short-term protests during the New Year holidays could cause a chain reaction of delays, especially at major tourist airports.

What tourists should prepare for

Travellers planning flights in late December and early January should allow extra time for transfers, closely monitor airline updates and, if possible, choose flights with a minimum number of connections. It is also recommended to check the compensation conditions in advance and have travel insurance that covers flight delays and baggage problems.

Most importantly, make sure you have travel insurance that covers not only medical emergencies, but also flight delays or cancellations. By the way, on the Visit Ukraine platform, Ukrainians can quickly take out travel insurance for traveling abroad — online, in a few clicks, and with instant confirmation by email. Such insurance will help you recover your expenses or get help in case of unforeseen situations during your trip.

Reminder! Wizz Air has resumed operations at its base at Suceava Airport, the closest international airport to Ukraine. The airline is launching new flights to European cities and expanding its flight schedule for the winter season. Find out which destinations are already available and how to get to the airport.

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