Travel chaos 2025: all the strikes and disruption expected across Europe

Times

24-04-2025

The Easter holidays are in full swing but potential strikes in France could mar plans for those intending to travel by train. The French rail union Sud Rail has filed strike notices for multiple dates between April 17 and June 2, which will involve train controllers working for SNCF, the French national rail company. If they go ahead, there could be limited or no rail services on selected routes. Separate strikes have also been called by train drivers and TGV train controllers. Although the strike notices were filed in March, negotiations are still ongoing, which means the walkouts could be called off at short notice.
Meanwhile, disruption is expected at Gatwick over the Easter bank holiday weekend (Friday, April 18 until Tuesday, April 22). Over 100 airport workers, including baggage handlers and flight dispatchers, employed by ground handling firm Red Handling, will join the industrial action, with significant delays and disruption expected as a result.
Tourists travelling to Tenerife over the Easter weekend have also been warned that strike action could impact their holiday. Thousands of hotel and hospitality workers across the popular Canary Island are striking over pay on Thursday, April 17 and Friday, April 18. According to local reports, 80,000 workers could be involved with the strike action, which is also taking place in La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro.
Currently the only strikes on the horizon in Europe are the proposed train strikes by members of the Sud Rail union and the hospitality workers' strike in Tenerife.
In France, the rail union filed strike notices for every weekend between April 17 and June 2. It will only involve train controllers working for SNCF, but could still leave some services unable to run. The strikes will start from 7pm on Thursday evening and end at 8am on Monday morning of the following week. Separately, there's a call for a one-day strike by SNCF train drivers on May 7, and a strike from May 9 to 11 by TGV controllers working for the SNCF.
Although the strike dates have been announced, negotiations are still ongoing. It means some or all of the strikes could be called off at the last minute. Passengers are advised to check before they travel.
In Tenerife, thousands of hotel and hospitality workers across the popular Canary Island are striking over pay on Thursday, April 17 and Friday, April 18. The strike action is also taking place in La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro.
The UK foreign office has updated its Spain travel advice, saying: 'Industrial action is planned in the hospitality sector in Tenerife over the Easter bank holiday weekend. If you're due to travel to Tenerife this weekend, check your operator's advice and follow the advice of authorities.'
Operations staff working for the ground handling firm Red Handling at Gatwick are set to strike over pensions during the busy Easter weekend.
Over 100 members of the trade union Unite, including baggage handlers, flight dispatchers and check-in staff for the airlines Norwegian, Delta, TAP and Air Peace, will stage daily industrial action from Good Friday, April 18, until the early hours of Tuesday, April 22. Significant delays and disruption are expected as a result.
A London Gatwick spokesperson said: 'We are aware of the recent ballot results and the planned industrial action by Red Handling which will impact thousands of passengers during one of our busiest times of year.
'We are supporting the airlines impacted, who hold the contracts directly with Red Handling, with their contingency plans and are hopeful a resolution can be reached ahead of the proposed industrial action.
'Passengers are advised to contact their airlines directly for information.'
It's worth bearing in mind that rail strikes could also affect your journey to or from UK airports, though there are currently none planned.
Air traffic control strikes and those by airport staff not directly employed by an airline are considered 'extraordinary circumstances', which means you won't be due any compensation from the airline. However, airlines still have certain legal obligations and a duty of care if you're already travelling.
If your flight is cancelled then the airline needs to either offer you a full refund for the journey, as well as for any affected return flights on the same booking, to be reimbursed within seven days, or offer you an alternative flight, including with a rival airline in some cases.
• Everything you need to know about compensation for cancelled and delayed flights
If your flight is delayed for an extended period, the airline needs to provide you with a reasonable amount of food and drink, a means for you to communicate, accommodation if your flight isn't until the next day, and transfers to and from the accommodation.
In some cases, you'll be provided with vouchers for these items but often you are expected to claim back reasonable expenses from the airline afterwards, so keep your receipts.
You could still end up with out-of-pocket costs and, in this instance, a comprehensive travel insurance policy may be handy. Whether you'll get a payout will depend on your coverage, so check the small print. Also, make sure you get something in writing from the airline to confirm the cause of the delay or cancellation.
• A guide to travel insurance: everything you need to know
On Friday, July 5, 2024, Heathrow Terminal 2 was evacuated by emergency services after the Metropolitan Police were alerted to a 'suspicious item that needed to be checked out'. The incident was investigated and resolved, with no further action taken, but passengers affected by the evacuation were instructed to check with their airline regarding any disruption to their flights.
Airport evacuations such as this one are, on the whole, uncommon. However, in case of an emergency, airports do have plans in place for mass evacuations, and you should follow all instructions given by airport and airline staff. Following the evacuation, airports and airlines should keep you informed of developments via their official channels.
If your flight is delayed or cancelled as a result of the evacuation, you should check your airline's policies to see if it offers compensation or refunds. Passengers should also consult their travel insurance policy details, as some providers might provide compensation for any disruption incurred as a result of the evacuation.
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