Christmas is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods in Europe, but December 2025 is shaping up to be another challenging season for passengers. Across several major travel markets, airport and airline staff have announced strike action timed around the festive rush, raising the risk of flight delays, cancellations, and long queues at check-in and baggage reclaim. For travelers heading home for the holidays or escaping for a winter break, careful planning and flexibility will be essential.
Strikes have increasingly become a familiar feature of European holiday travel, as workers use peak demand periods to push for better pay, working conditions, and job security. Some of this December’s walkouts were announced months in advance, while others have emerged closer to travel dates, leaving little time for passengers to adjust plans. While compensation rules may apply in some cases, the immediate impact for travelers is often missed connections, extended waiting times, and last-minute itinerary changes.
Italy and the UK Brace for Coordinated Walkouts
Italy is expected to see widespread disruption on December 17, when multiple groups of aviation workers plan a coordinated four-hour strike. Ground handling staff, airline crew, and air traffic control personnel are all set to take part, potentially affecting flights across the country. Major hubs including Rome, Milan, Venice, Naples, and Catania are among the airports likely to experience delays, with knock-on effects possible throughout the day even outside the official strike window.
Although the walkout is limited in duration, travelers should expect congestion at security, check-in counters, and baggage handling areas. Italy’s aviation authorities typically publish lists of protected flights during strike days, but even those services can be impacted by operational bottlenecks and staff shortages earlier or later in the day.
In the United Kingdom, London airports are also facing festive season pressure. EasyJet ground staff at Luton Airport have announced strike action spanning several days in late December, including the critical days just before and after Christmas. The focus of the action is baggage handling and ground services, meaning flights may operate but passengers could encounter significant delays on arrival or departure.
Heathrow Airport is also preparing for disruption, with cabin crew linked to Scandinavian Airlines planning walkouts during key travel dates. Routes connecting London with Nordic hubs are particularly vulnerable, adding complexity for passengers traveling onward to Scandinavia or beyond during the holiday period.
Spain’s Prolonged Baggage Disputes Continue
Spain presents a different challenge for December travelers, as ongoing industrial action by baggage handling staff continues through the end of the year. The strikes, linked to disputes over working conditions and job stability, are scheduled multiple times a week and affect peak hours in the early morning, midday, and late evening.
Airports across Spain’s most popular destinations are involved, including Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, and several island airports. Passengers flying with low-cost carriers are particularly exposed, with longer waits for check-in, delayed luggage delivery, and potential missed connections becoming increasingly common.
For travelers, the key takeaway this Christmas is preparation. Monitoring flight status, allowing extra time at airports, and packing essentials in carry-on luggage can help reduce stress. While strikes are part of a broader labor debate, their timing during December ensures they will once again play a central role in shaping Europe’s holiday travel experience.
