Holiday travel in Europe: where delays and flight cancellations are possible in December 2025 – January 2026

The holiday season in Europe may be accompanied by flight delays and cancellations. Find out which countries and airports may be affected by strikes, which dates to pay attention to, and how to best plan your trip

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The Christmas and New Year period is traditionally one of the busiest for air travel in Europe. During the peak travel season, another factor adds to the overload at airports: large-scale strikes by aviation industry workers. In a number of European countries, protests by ground staff, dispatchers, and maintenance services are planned or already underway in December 2025 and early January 2026, which may lead to delays and flight cancellations.

The information is based on reports from trade unions and public data from aviation services in European countries.

Italy: strikes by ground services and dispatchers

In Italy, the holiday season is accompanied by several protests that may affect airport operations.

A four-hour nationwide strike by airport ground staff, organized by the CUB Transporti union, is scheduled for January 9. On the same day, Milan Linate Airport will see a separate 24-hour strike by Swissport Italia, which is responsible for ground handling.

In addition, a protest by ENAV air traffic controllers has been announced for January 31, which may lead to flight delays, particularly at Verona Airport.

Also, in December 2025, trade unions in Italy are announcing mass transport and airport strikes without a clearly defined schedule, which creates additional risks for passengers ahead of the holidays.

United Kingdom: problematic dates in London

In the UK, the main risks are associated with London airports, primarily Luton and Heathrow.

At Luton Airport, two waves of strikes are planned by ground staff serving easyJet and DHL flights:

● from December 19 to 22;

● from December 26 to 29.

During these days, delays are possible during passenger check-in, baggage handling, and departures.

At Heathrow Airport, Scandinavian Airlines Services (SAS) crew will strike on December 22-24 and December 26. This may affect flights connecting to Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo.

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Spain: regular strikes until the end of the year

In Spain, regular protests by ground handling and baggage service employees, including Azul Handling, a Ryanair partner, will continue until December 31, 2025.

Strikes take place every week on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, usually in the morning (05:00–09:00), but actions are also possible during the day and in the evening.

Potential delays and queues are expected at the following airports: Alicante, Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Seville, Valencia, Ibiza, Girona, Lanzarote, Santiago de Compostela, Tenerife (South).

Portugal: risks at the end of December

In Portugal, a series of multi-day strikes by airport service personnel will continue throughout December 2025 at the airports of Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira, and the Azores.

Separately, unions have announced a nationwide strike of ground services from December 31, 2025, to January 1, 2026, which coincides with the peak holiday travel dates.

France: staff shortages and possible disruptions

In France, potential strikes and staff shortages are reported at airports in Paris, Nice, and Lyon in December 2025. Although exact dates are not always publicly announced, aviation services warn of possible delays and disruptions.

What passengers should consider during the holiday season

In many European countries, strikes do not have a clear daily schedule and may occur in series or on specific days of the week. Travelers are advised to:

● arrive at the airport early;

● check flight status regularly;

● allow extra time for transfers and connections.

Tip: Given the possibility of flight disruptions during the holiday season, we recommend choosing combined routes or ground transportation. The Visit Ukraine platform offers a ticket booking system for all types of transport — buses, trains, and planes between cities in Ukraine and Europe. This allows you to plan your trip in advance and have a backup option in case of changes in the flight schedule.

We remind you! A new direct route between Prague, Berlin, and Copenhagen will be launched in 2026. Read about how long the journey will take, when the night train will start, what stops are planned, and how much tickets may cost.

Photo: Pexels

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