Latest news with #AntonRadchenko
Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Huge boost for Brits as five-months of airport strikes come to an end
After the Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) held strikes on May 2, 5, 16, 19, 30, June 2, 4 and 11, more industrial action has been called off after an agreement was reached After close to five months of disruption, the Finnish aviation strikes have officially ended. The breakthrough came on July 13, when the Finnish Aviation Union and Service Sector Employers Palta approved a new labour agreement, immediately cancelling all planned strikes for July 16, 18, 21, 23, and 25. This is a big breakthrough and one that has a serious impact on UK passengers. In the past few months, these strikes have disrupted more than 1,200 flights, affecting more than 155,000 passengers, including thousands of Brits. The end to Finland's disruptive industrial action marks one of the most significant developments for Europe's summer travel season, offering huge relief to both holidaymakers and the travel industry. "After prolonged negotiations, it's good that we were able to reach a mutually acceptable deal," said Palta's director of labour market affairs Minna Ääri. However, she expressed disappointment that the agreement didn't include broader development of working conditions alongside the wage settlement. In the past four months, no other country in Europe has had as many strikes as Finland: more than 15 (a record for any country), making this latest agreement a game changer for Europe and UK holidaymakers alike. Negotiations had dragged on for over six months, during which Finnair cancelled more than 1,200 flights due to IAU strike action. Palta estimates the cancellations affected around 100,000 passengers. Anton Radchenko, founder of AirAdvisor, said: 'The end of Finland's aviation strikes is not just a labour deal, but it's a strategic reset for European summer travel. Over the past few months, passengers, especially from the UK, have dealt with a roulette of delays, rerouting, and increased costs just to reach or connect through Helsinki. Now, with restored schedules and reduced travel anxiety, people can plan with confidence again." When the Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) organised strikes on May 2, 5, 16, 19, 30, June 2, 4 and 11, it was predicted that they could result in the cancellation of more flights on 17 and 19 June across Finnish airports, potentially affecting as many as 64 UK flights and up to 11,520 passengers. Airlines such as KLM, easyJet, Lufthansa, and Air Baltic were impacted. Key routes that were hit included those from London, Manchester, and Edinburgh to Helsinki. Other routes with one or two stops swept up in the chaos include Birmingham, Bristol, Belfast, Nottingham, Southampton, and Leeds to Helsinki via Amsterdam, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Latvia, will also be disrupted. Each strike day cost Finnair and Finavia (the operator of Helsinki Airport) between €10 to €20 million (£8.5million to £17 million) in lost revenue, with wider economic impacts on tourism and hospitality. By the end of the summer, the sector was predicted to lose between €100-€150 million. Booking trends analysis indicates a 7–12% drop in UK bookings to Finland for the summer season, with passengers opting for alternative destinations like Sweden, Norway, or Estonia. Passenger rights company AirAdvisor has predicted a big positive uptick in sales following the end of the strikes. The firm has said routes from London, Manchester, and Edinburgh to Helsinki benefit the most and will now see a 10-15% booking surge for Helsinki connections in July-August. Smaller UK airports such as Liverpool, Birmingham, and Bristol, which previously saw 15-20% fewer bookings due to strike-related delays, will see significant recovery. With full schedules restored, British holidaymakers and business travellers no longer face rerouting, uncertainty, or last-minute cancellations during the busiest months of the year. Ground handling, baggage, catering, maintenance, and customer service staff represented by the IAU downed tools in a row over pay with PALTA. The IAU released figures showing that while Finnair Group employees' average salaries rose by 6.4 percent from 2020 to 2023, during the same time frame, national averages saw a hike of 10.4 percent across all sectors.
Scottish Sun
03-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Hundreds of flights cancelled across Europe this week – with up to 36,000 Brits affected
Plus, Ryanair has warned of record flight delays this summer GROUNDED Hundreds of flights cancelled across Europe this week – with up to 36,000 Brits affected Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FLIGHT cancellations across Europe are set to affect thousands of Brits heading abroad this week. Airlines including easyJet, Ryanair and Air France have been forced to cancel flights today and tomorrow due to French ATC strikes over working conditions and pay. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Hundreds of flights in the UK have been cancelled this week Credit: Reuters This means that as many as 200 flights to and from the UK will be impacted each day on July 3 and July 4, according to AirAdvisor. This works out to as many as 36,000 Brits. Ryanair has cancelled 170 flights in total, which is expected to disrupt over 30,000 passengers. The airline has also claimed that the strikes in France will disrupt passengers flying over French airspace too, en route to other destinations such as Greece and Spain. Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary said: "Once again European families are held to ransom by French Air Traffic Controllers going on strike. "It is not acceptable that overflights over French airspace en route to their destination are being cancelled/delayed as a result of yet another French ATC strike. "It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on EU passengers and families going on holidays." In comparison, easyJet has been forced to cancel 22 UK touching flights today and 38, so far, for tomorrow. Across Europe the airline has made 124 cancellations in total for today and 150 so far, for tomorrow. An easyJet spokesperson said: "As required by the French authorities (DGAC) easyJet proactively cancelled some flights in advance and customers were contacted directly with options to transfer to another flight for free or a refund. "While this is outside of our control, we will do all we can to minimise the impact of the strike action. Flight cancelled or delayed? Top tips for handling travel disruptions "On behalf of our passengers we are extremely unhappy with the strike action, particularly given the current performance of French ATC which has been the leading cause of airspace delays in Europe this summer. "Long term solutions must be found for our customers and crew who suffer repeated disruption." The strike, which is being led by UNSA-INCA and SNCTA unions, will involve 60-70 per cent of ATCs. Anton Radchenko, aviation expert and founder of AirAdvisor explained that the strikes will also cause the airspace to narrow, and as a result the backlog will spread quickly to hubs like Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester. He said: "What many travellers underestimate is how vulnerable short-haul schedules are to even minor disruptions. 3 This means that around 150-200 UK flights will be impacted each day on July 3 and July 4 Credit: AFP "Unlike long-haul routes, where airlines often have contingency buffers, short-haul flights operate on tight rotations." For example, one delay in Lyon or Marseille could lead to a ripple effect that cancels a Stansted departure six hours later. He continued: "My top advice is to travel with full situational awareness. "If your itinerary connects through France or overflies its airspace, even to destinations like Italy or Spain, check with your airline daily, not just the night before. "Take screenshots of every notification, keep every receipt, and escalate immediately if your flight is cancelled. "Under EU261, you're owed assistance even if you're not owed financial compensation, but you have to know how to ask." New EU rules also mean Brits will now get less compensation if their flight is delayed. Plus, Ryanair has warned of record flight delays this summer.
The Irish Sun
03-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Hundreds of flights cancelled across Europe this week – with up to 36,000 Brits affected
FLIGHT cancellations across Europe are set to affect thousands of Brits heading abroad this week. Airlines including strikes over working conditions and pay. Advertisement 3 Hundreds of flights in the UK have been cancelled this week Credit: Reuters This means that as many as 200 flights to and from the UK will be impacted each day on July 3 and July 4, according to This works out to as many as 36,000 Brits. The airline has also claimed that the strikes in Greece and Spain . Advertisement Read more on flights Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary said: "Once again European families are held to ransom by French Air Traffic Controllers going on strike. "It is not acceptable that overflights over French airspace en route to their destination are being cancelled/delayed as a result of yet another French ATC strike. "It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on holidays ." In comparison, easyJet has been forced to cancel 22 UK touching flights today and 38, so far, for tomorrow. Advertisement Most read in News Travel Across Europe the airline has made 124 cancellations in total for today and 150 so far, for tomorrow. An easyJet spokesperson said: "As required by the French authorities (DGAC) "While this is outside of our control, we will do all we can to minimise the impact of the strike action. Flight cancelled or delayed? Top tips for handling travel disruptions "On behalf of our passengers we are extremely unhappy with the strike action, particularly given the current performance of French ATC which has been the leading cause of airspace delays in summer . Advertisement "Long term solutions must be found for our customers and crew who suffer repeated disruption." The strike, which is being led by UNSA-INCA and SNCTA unions, will involve 60-70 per cent of ATCs. Anton Radchenko, aviation expert and founder of AirAdvisor explained that the strikes will also cause the airspace to narrow, and as a result the backlog will spread quickly to hubs like Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester . He said: "What many travellers underestimate is how vulnerable short-haul schedules are to even minor disruptions. Advertisement 3 This means that around 150-200 UK flights will be impacted each day on July 3 and July 4 Credit: AFP "Unlike long-haul routes, where airlines often have contingency buffers, short-haul flights operate on tight rotations." For example, one delay in Lyon or He continued: "My top advice is to travel with full situational awareness. Advertisement "If your itinerary connects through France or overflies its airspace, even to destinations like "Take screenshots of every notification, keep every receipt, and escalate immediately if your "Under New EU rules also mean Brits will now get Advertisement Plus, Ryanair has warned of 3 The strike is also anticipated to impact Brits flying o other destinations including Greece and Spain Credit: AFP
Daily Record
25-06-2025
- Daily Record
12,000 passengers grounded as strikes trigger 'near-total shutdown' at two major airports
A nationwide strike is affecting up to 70 UK flights, including some from Scotland. A nationwide strike in Belgium today (June 25) has triggered a near-total shutdown at Brussels and Charleroi airports, grounding 50-70 UK flights, including many flying out of Scotland, and stranding between 9000 and 12,600 Brits . The walkout led by airport security staff protesting government budget cuts and staffing shortages has forced both airports to suspend all outbound flights today (June 25). From Edinburgh Airport there is a daily Brussels Air flight, while Glasgow Airport usually sees between five and seven daily flights via codeshares or direct services. Experts at AirAdvisor estimate that the strikes will affect between 50 and 70 flights from the UK and will impact between 9,000 and 12,000 passengers. And they said while strikes across Europe have become more common, the scale of disruption today is significantly larger, and it comes during peak summer planning, leading to more problems for travellers. There are also fears of more disruption for travellers with Belgium possibly seeing more strikes in the peak summer months of July and August. This could affect 10 to 15 per cent of summer bookings to the country. Unions have said they may call strikes every four to six weeks if the situation is left unresolved. Anton Radchenko, Aviation Expert & Founder of AirAdvisor said: 'What makes this strike so problematic is that it disrupts the backbone of airport operations: security screening. "Unlike pilot strikes where airlines can sometimes operate reduced schedules, security strikes shut down entire terminals. For UK travellers, this means no flexibility, no fallback options, and no notice." They advise passengers to be prepared ahead of further action this summer. Anton said: "Book flexible fares, avoid same-day connections via Brussels or Charleroi, and build at least 24-hour buffers if your itinerary involves Belgian hubs. "From a legal standpoint, while airlines aren't obligated to pay compensation for these third-party strikes, they must still offer full refunds or alternative routes, and they're required to provide care, including food, transport, and overnight stays where necessary. "If your airline fails to meet these obligations, you have the right to escalate your claim." He also said: "Looking ahead, I strongly advise passengers to treat Belgium as a 'high-risk travel zone' for the next 4–6 weeks. "The same goes for Helsinki, which has been notorious for strikes this year. Until labour disputes are resolved, travellers should reroute through more stable hubs like Amsterdam, Frankfurt, or Paris, where the chance of mass cancellations is significantly lower." AirAdvisor's has also offered advice for UK passengers: Check Flight Status: Use your airline's website or app for accurate and timely updates. Flexible Booking: Reschedule via airline change policies or use travel insurance to cover £150-£1,200 losses. Reroute Options: Consider flying via Amsterdam (AMS) with KLM (£150-£250, 1 hour) or Paris (CDG) with Air France (£200-£300, 1.5 hours), adding 2-4 hours but ensuring safety. Document all receipts, and avoid tight layovers in affected areas. Check FCDO travel advice for Belgium updates and airline apps for real-time changes. Contact customer service for rebooking, as other mediums report 24-hour delays in responses. Consider delaying Belgium trips until mid-July, when strikes may ease.
Daily Mirror
25-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Airport chaos as EU strikes begin with 3 UK hubs affected and Brits 'stranded'
Up to 12,600 Brits could be left 'stranded' after a huge staff strike has forced two major airports to suspend all outbound flights for the day - resulting in a 'near-total shutdown' of the hubs Brits have been issued a 'major travel warning' after a nationwide strike has triggered a 'near-total shutdown' in a European hotspot. Two airports in Belgium (Brussels and Charleroi) are facing last-minute chaos over a staged walkout led by airport security staff, who are said to be protesting against government budget cuts and staffing shortages. The huge demonstration has forced both airports to suspend all outbound flights for the day - grounding up to 70,000 flights and 'stranding' up to 12,600 Brits. Experts over at AirAdvisor warn the disruption is 'significantly larger' than the scale of previous aviation flights - and will directly impact approximately 100 UK flights today (Wednesday, June 25). It has therefore urged all UK holidaymakers to check their flight status ASAP and consider reroute options. The air passenger rights company has used data from FlightRadar24's live schedule and OAG's 2025 summer projections to work out exactly which UK airports will be impacted by the strikes. For Brussels (BRU) - which receives around 60-70 daily flights from the UK - this includes: London Heathrow (LHR): 8-10 daily flights (British Airways, Brussels Airlines). Manchester (MAN): 2-3 daily flights (Brussels Airlines, Ryanair). Edinburgh (EDI): 1 daily flight (Brussels Airlines). Birmingham (BHX): 1 daily flight (Brussels Airlines). Other UK airports (e.g., Bristol BRS, Glasgow GLA) contribute 5-7 daily flights via codeshares or direct services. Charleroi (CRL), which is located south of Brussels, is mainly used by low-cost airlines such as Wizz Air. It receives around 40-50 daily flights from the UK, with major routes including: London Stansted (STN): 6-8 daily flights (Ryanair). London Luton (LTN): 2-3 daily flights (Wizz Air, Ryanair). Manchester (MAN): 1 daily flight (Ryanair). Other UK airports (e.g., Liverpool LPL, Bristol BRS) contribute 2-4 daily flights. "What makes this strike so problematic is that it disrupts the backbone of airport operations: security screening," Anton Radchenko, Aviation Expert & Founder of AirAdvisor said in a statement sent to the Mirror. "Unlike pilot strikes where airlines can sometimes operate reduced schedules, security strikes shut down entire terminals. For UK travellers, this means no flexibility, no fallback options, and no notice." The expert advised Brits to book 'flexible' fares and avoid same-day connections via Brussels or Charleroi. From a legal standpoint, he says affected passengers must be offered 'full refunds or alternative routes' as well as paid-for food, transport and overnight stays where necessary. "Looking ahead, I strongly advise passengers to treat Belgium as a 'high-risk travel zone' for the next four to six weeks," Anton added. "The same goes for Helsinki, which has been notorious for strikes this year. Until labour disputes are resolved, travellers should reroute through more stable hubs like Amsterdam, Frankfurt, or Paris, where the chance of mass cancellations is significantly lower."
