Strikes and flight cancellations in July 2025: which countries will experience transportation issues?

In July 2025, strikes are expected at airports across Europe, leading to flight cancellations and delays. Find out which countries are affected, how to check your flight status, and whether you are eligible for compensation from your carrier

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The summer of 2025 in Europe was marked by a new wave of transport strikes. The aviation sector is expecting delays and cancellations. In this article, we tell you what tourists should prepare for.

Strikes in the Finnish aviation industry

In Finland, aviation strikes will begin on July 2 at Helsinki Airport. The IAU union has been demanding higher wages for workers for several months, but negotiations with the employer, Palta, have so far been unsuccessful.

Between July 2 and 4, employees will stop work for four hours, affecting more than a hundred Finnair flights. The company has also warned of the cancellation of another 230 summer flights due to a shortage of pilots and internal negotiations on staff cuts. According to preliminary estimates, these changes will affect more than 28,000 passengers.

Read also: How to buy Ukrzaliznytsia tickets for international trains?

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France: mass strike by air traffic controllers in the middle of the season

On July 3 and 4, French air traffic controllers' unions UNSA-ICNA and USAC-CGT are organizing strikes that could cause massive delays and cancellations at French airports.

The reason is demands for more staff and higher wages. The largest union, SNCTA, has not joined the strikes, but destabilization in the air traffic control system is quite likely.

The strikes will take place on the eve of the school holidays in France (which begin on July 4-5), which are traditionally peak days for passenger traffic. The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) warns of possible significant disruptions to air transport.

Read also: How to find cheap flights in Europe?

What to do if your flight is canceled or delayed?

First of all, don't panic. If your flight is canceled, the airline is obliged to offer an alternative option or a full refund. If this is not possible, you have the right to:

● Choose a new flight — sometimes with a delay of several hours or even the next day.

● Receive compensation — according to European standards, if the delay is more than 3 hours or the flight is canceled without warning, you can receive monetary compensation.

● Coverage of additional expenses — if the delay forced you to spend money on food, accommodation, or transportation, keep all receipts: these expenses must be reimbursed.

● Free accommodation and transfer — if the new flight is scheduled for the next day.

In any case, always contact the airline's support service — by phone, website, or chat. For more information about the types of compensation for flight delays/cancellations and how to obtain it, please follow the link.

You can check the latest flight information:

● in the airline's mobile app;

● on the airport's website or app;

● in the online booking system or with your travel agent (if they purchased your ticket).

To avoid unpleasant surprises, plan your trip in advance. On the Visit Ukraine platform, you can book tickets for trains, buses, and planes in Ukraine and abroad. It is convenient, safe, and allows you to quickly check the schedule, choose the best route, or make changes to your booking.

Also, don't forget to get travel insurance that covers delays, flight cancellations, and other unexpected situations. You can also get insurance online through Visit Ukraine — it's extra protection for your expenses and peace of mind while traveling.

We remind you! Travel to and from Ukraine is complicated due to the closed airspace, so you can only cross the border by land. Read more about trains running between Ukraine and European countries that can take you to your destination in our previous article.

Photo: tripway

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