Travel Chaos: European Flight and Train Strikes Expected On January 2024

We always hope that our travel will be worry-free, but as 2024 rolls in, there are several strikes and other disruptions to look out for across Europe this January.

Strikes are a regular occurrence in Europe, as employees withhold their labour to fight for better pay and conditions.

Walkouts are sometimes planned months ahead but others are announced last minute, showing that it always pays to check before you travel.

Here are European strikes to be aware of.

Spain

What: Iberia ground service staff strike
When: January 5-8, 2024

Iberia ground service staff members will go on strike from January 5 to 8, 2024.

The strikes will affect all Spanish airports where Iberia operates, including Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI), Seville Airport (SVQ) and Valencia Airport (VLC).

They could also affect other flight carriers operating within the IAG group, including British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Vueling.

The strikes have been called over working conditions and rights as workers are set to be outsourced to other companies.

What: Airport security staff strikes in Alicante
When: January 1-14, 2024

Private security staff at Alicante-Elche airport are striking over working conditions and pay.

Strike action will take place for two hours each day, from 8.45-9.45 AM and from 6-7 PM, affecting security controls and baggage handling.

Italy

What: Airport strikes in January
When: January 8, 2024

Baggage handlers based at Milan's Linate Airport (LIN) and Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) will go on strike on January 8.

At Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO), Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), and Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR), security staff members will also stage their own walkouts on the same day.

What: Nationwide public transport strike
When: January 24, 2024

A 24-hour public transport strike will hit Italy nationwide in January. It could cause significant disruption for commuters using buses, trams, and subways but is not expected to impact regional and long-distance trains.

On the same day, air traffic controllers are set to walk out from 1-5 PM, potentially causing delays and cancellations for travellers flying to and from Italy.

Germany

What: Train strikes
When: January 10-12, 2024

Train drivers in Germany will walk out from 10-12 January, with further strikes expected in 2024.

Train drivers will walk out from 2 AM on Wednesday to 5 PM on Friday, causing serious disruptions, while freight workers will start on Tuesday at 6 PM.

Workers are in a long-running dispute with train operator Deutsche Bahn over hours, pay, and working conditions.

Massive disruptions are expected in Deutsche Bahn’s long-distance, regional, and S-Bahn services during this period. Deutsche Bahn will operate an emergency timetable, but this will only ensure very limited train services. The company is asking passengers to refrain from any unnecessary journeys and postpone their travel if possible.

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