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The strike action that could affect your holiday this Easter – and how to claim compensation
Holidaymakers travelling across Europe have been warned to expect disruption over the Easter break
Transport staff are expected to strike at various key European destinations in the next few weeks, including in Italy and Greece, plus at Heathrow and Gatwick airports in London. The walkouts could affect British holidaymakers hoping for an Easter break with disruption expected at key destinations.
Here we round up the travel strikes across the UK and Europe in the coming months, with advice on what to do if your plans are affected.
This page will be regularly updated to reflect the latest information, but note that some strikes are announced and cancelled with little notice.
In this guide:
Travel disruption in Europe and the UK
Greece
Air traffic controllers (April 9)
Greek air traffic controllers are set to participate in a 24-hour strike on April 9. Their union, ADEDY, is demanding reinstatement of two annual bonuses for public workers, that were abolished under previous austerity measures in Greece. Only medical and military planes will be able to land, meaning that holidaymakers may see disruption if they are due to fly on that day. Greek carriers are offering passengers to option to change their flights for free, or credit vouchers if they decide to cancel entirely.
Italy
easyJet flight attendants (April 9)
On the same day, easyJet flight attendants in Italy are set to walk out between 10.30am and 2.30pm local time across the country. Flights to and from major hubs, like Milan and Naples, are expected to be disrupted. Last month, easyJet pilots staged a similar strike in protest at working conditions. If you are due to fly with the airline, check their website for more details ahead of travelling to the airport.
UK
Heathrow Airport staff (April 9)
Hundreds of striking Heathrow workers will hold a joint picket line outside the airport on April 9. Around 500 people employed by Wilson James, who provide assistance to passengers with restricted ability, will be joined by 50 British Airways cleaners, in protest at their working conditions. A spokesperson for Unite, the union, said “Wilson James workers are angry at being paid considerably less than their colleagues at Gatwick performing the same role.”
“Wilson James workers at Heathrow walk an average of 13 miles a day while providing emotional reassurance and kindness to passengers who are often stressed and overwhelmed,” they added.
If you are due to fly from Heathrow and require passenger assistance, it would be advisable to contact the airport ahead of travel.
Gatwick Airport staff (April 18 to 22)
Staff who work for Red Handling, a firm that provides baggage handlers, check-in staff and flight dispatchers for the airlines Norwegian, Delta, TAP and Air Peace, will strike over the Easter weekend at Gatwick. The action is in response to pay delays by the company, in addition to new working patterns which Unite, the union, describes as “dangerous”.
The union is warning of “major disruption” across the airport from Good Friday (April 18) until the early hours of Tuesday April 22. Passengers are advised to check with their airline ahead of travel.
What to do if your travel plans are affected by strike action
Before travelling, check whether there are any strikes in your destination and plan accordingly. Localised train strikes, for example, could create issues travelling from the airport upon arrival. Below, we outline your rights for major modes of transport.
Flights
If your flight is delayed or cancelled due to strike action, contact your airline immediately. Airlines are obliged to offer assistance such as food and drink or accommodation for extensive delays due to industrial action. Your airline is also obliged to place you on the next available flight. Or, if the delay lasts for more than five hours, you can withdraw from your flight and ask for a refund.
For flights that are cancelled outright, whether you are entitled to compensation depends on if the strike is considered to be something the airline could control. If so, you will only be entitled to compensation if your carrier informs you your flight is cancelled less than 14 days from the date you’re due to fly. But in the case of European air traffic control strikes, this wouldn’t be seen as the airline’s responsibility.
Check that your travel insurance covers you in the event of strike action. But be aware that once the industrial action has been announced, even without precise dates, you will not be able to buy cover for strikes.
For more information on what to do if your flight is delayed or cancelled, read our comprehensive guide here.
Trains and Eurostar services
If you have purchased an advance ticket and the train is rescheduled or cancelled due to strike action, you are entitled to a change or refund.
The refund process depends on each operator, but most have a straightforward “delay repay” system. Be sure to contact the retailer you purchased the ticket from.
As for Eurostar, if your train has been cancelled or is announced as delayed before departure by more than 60 minutes, you can reschedule your trip for another date or swap your ticket for an e-voucher, which you can use to rebook later in the year or claim a cash refund. Those whose trains are delayed after departure are entitled to partial refunds, depending on the length of the delay. Find more information here.
Ferries
According to the trade body Abta, if your ferry is expected to be delayed or cancelled, you should be provided with free snacks, meals and refreshments in relation to the waiting time. Refreshments should be provided even if the reason for the cancellation is bad weather (considered out of the company’s control).
When your ferry operator cancels your service due to strike action, it should offer the choice of an alternative or a refund.
You are entitled to compensation of 25 per cent of your ticket price, for that part of the affected journey, if your service is delayed in arrival by at least:
- one hour for a journey of four hours
- two hours for a journey between four and eight hours
- three hours for a journey between eight and 24 hours
- six hours for a journey of more than 24 hours
If the delay exceeds double the time set out, the compensation should be 50 per of the ticket price. The ferry operator must pay compensation within one month of the submission of a substantiated claim for compensation. Passengers should note that compensation isn’t payable where the delay was caused by weather conditions endangering the safe operation of the ferry or by extraordinary and unavoidable circumstances that hindered the sailing.
This piece is kept regularly updated with the latest strike news.