As the tourist season reaches its peak, travelers across Europe may face significant disruptions due to a series of planned strikes in various modes of transport. These strikes are expected to impact airports, rail networks, and public transportation systems, affecting thousands of passengers and their travel plans.
In France, unions from the Aéroports de Paris (ADP) group are threatening a strike in early July to demand more resources for handling changes in air traffic and the organization of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (JOP) in Paris. The unions expect a response from management by July 5. Additionally, the Solidaires-RATP union in Paris is threatening to strike if the RN wins the legislative elections on July 7, potentially disrupting metro, bus, tram, and RER services.
In Italy, several airport unions are calling for a strike on July 5, with expected delays and cancellations at Crotone, Lamezia Terme, and Reggio Calabria airports. Other airports, including Bologna, Rome Fiumicino, Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa, and Venice Marco Polo, will see limited mobilization between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Furthermore, Trenitalia and Trenord unions plan to halt work from 9 p.m. on July 6 to 9 p.m. on July 7.
The United Kingdom is also bracing for disruptions. At London Gatwick Airport, around 300 security and passenger services officers will strike from July 12 to 14 and again from July 18 to 21. This strike may affect baggage delivery and traveler assistance services. In Scotland, strikes at Aberdeen and Glasgow airports are deemed 'inevitable' from mid-July. However, no strikes are currently planned for British trains, which have been affected by repeated strikes in recent months.
In Ireland, Aer Lingus pilots continue their indefinite work-to-rule strike, which began on June 26. This action involves not working overtime or performing tasks outside scheduled hours, leading to the cancellation of 400 flights until July 7. A decision on whether to continue the strike will be made after a meeting on July 3.
In the Netherlands, a public transport strike is planned from September 10 to 12, affecting national and regional trains on the NS network and urban transport in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague. This strike comes at the tail end of the tourist season but is expected to impact many travelers.
These strikes coincide with the peak tourist season, with Israel expecting around 70,000 passengers to pass through its airports daily. Many Israelis traveling to Europe may encounter these disruptions, affecting their vacation plans.
- Travelers should stay informed about potential strikes and consider alternative arrangements or travel insurance to mitigate the impact of disruptions. Checking the status of flights and public transport services ahead of time can help avoid unexpected delays and cancellations.
- Authorities in the affected countries are working to minimize the impact of these strikes, but travelers should be prepared for possible inconveniences. It's advisable to stay updated through official channels and news sources for the latest information on the strikes.
