Worker strikes across Europe are quite common, and so is their impact, which causes very frequent delays or flight cancellations. During the upcoming weeks, including the end of January and the beginning of February, strikes in Italy, Germany, as well as Finland, have been announced; thus, travellers are advised to be updated regarding their flight status prior to heading to the airport.
Here is a comprehensive list of the countries where strikes will occur, in addition to dates and impacted travel modes, as SchengenVisaInfo.com has compiled.
Nationwide Public Transport Strike in Italy Scheduled for January 24
A public transport strike has been scheduled for January 24, lasting for 24 hours and potentially causing disruption for commuters using buses, trams, and subways.
Air traffic controllers have also announced they will be walking out from 13:00 to 17:00, so travellers are advised to expect delays and cancellations.
Transportation will also be an issue for city commuters, as taxi drivers in Rome have also announced a 24-hour strike to protest increased license fees.
Germany: Train Drivers Strike to Last From January 24 to January 29
Train drivers in Germany have announced a week-long strike, which will begin at 2 am on Wednesday and continue until 6 pm on Monday.
The train operator Deutsche Bahn workers continue protesting over hours, pay, and working conditions and have not reached a deal yet.
Germany’s rail network can encounter longer-lasting strikes if an agreement is not reached in the next round of negotiations.
Airports in Finland to Encounter Strikes on February
Finland is set to experience airport disruptions as members of the JHL union, representing approximately 12,000 airport workers, have announced a 48-hour strike scheduled for February 1-2.
Finnair, the national carrier, expects an increase in flight disruptions during this period. In addition, the airline has offered flexibility to passengers with flights between January 31 and February 3 to plan their trips earlier or until March 15.
Train Drivers in the UK Call for Strike
Aslef union in the UK has announced there will be one-day strikes, and overtime services will be discontinued between January 30 and February 5 as the train drivers protest for a wage raise. They say they haven’t had an increase in five years.
According to Euronews, the walkouts will impact different operators on different days, including Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, West Midlands Trains, GTR, LNER, Southeastern, SWR, and TransPennine Trains.
Travellers Advised to Purchase Travel Insurance
In order to be more protected from unexpected expenses, travellers to Europe are always advised to purchase travel insurance. In this way, potential delays or missed flights cannot impact their travel plans.
Some of the most affordable and best deals can be found at AXA Travel Insurance, Europ Assistance, Allianz Travel Insurance, Mondial Care, Mutuaide, and DR-WALTER.