Weekend Travel Chaos Looms: Major Strikes at Southern European Airports

In the midst of peak summer travel, a major strike is set to hit several large airports in Southern Europe. The strike threatens to cause significant delays and flight cancellations for thousands of travelers, reports Euronews. Those planning to travel this weekend are advised to prepare for disruptions.

Thousands of travelers across Europe may need to revise their travel plans this weekend.

On Saturday, airport staff from several major airlines will strike simultaneously in Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

Major Airlines Affected

The Italian strike will occur between 1 PM and 5 PM in cities including Milan, Rome, Florence, and Venice, reports Euronews. Airlines such as Ryanair, Easyjet, Wizz Air, and Tui, among others, will be affected.

Holidaymakers traveling this weekend should be prepared for both delays and cancellations during the peak season.

Impact on Tourist Destinations

In Spain, staff at the airline Volotea will strike on the same day, expected to have repercussions across the country.

In Portugal, ground staff at Menzies Aviation will strike over several weekends this summer, including this weekend. Lisbon Airport is particularly affected.

Travelers are urged to closely monitor their flight status and prepare for possible delays and cancellations over the weekend.

Not the First Strikes This Summer

The strikes are driven by demands for improved working conditions, job safety, work-life balance, and new national agreements for airport workers. The industry is already under pressure from a significant staff shortage.

Earlier in July, airport strikes in France led to the cancellation of 1,500 flights over two days, affecting travel for more than 1 million passengers. A few days later, a national strike in Italy resulted in 73 canceled flights at airports including Milan, Naples, and Venice.