UK, Italy, Germany, Greece, and Belgium are facing fresh travel disruptions as transport strikes spread across Europe, affecting flights, trains, buses, and metro services from February to May. Workers across various transport sectors are staging walkouts to demand better pay and working conditions, causing widespread delays and cancellations for passengers.

In Germany, security staff strikes at Düsseldorf and Cologne-Bonn airports have already led to flight cancellations, while Italy is bracing for a nationwide transport strike, disrupting metro, bus, and ferry services. Greece is set to experience a complete halt in air travel as air traffic controllers join a 24-hour nationwide strike. In Belgium, airport workers continue their monthly walkouts, affecting major hubs like Brussels Airport. Meanwhile, the UK’s West Coast Main Line will be hit by ongoing Sunday train strikes until May, impacting passengers traveling between London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow.

With transport strikes spreading across Europe, travelers are urged to check for updates, confirm their bookings in advance, and prepare for potential delays.

To help you stay informed, here is a comprehensive guide to the upcoming transport strikes across Europe and their potential impact on travel.

Germany: Flight Cancellations at Düsseldorf and Cologne-Bonn Airports

Travelers flying in and out of Germany should prepare for potential flight disruptions as the country faces another round of strikes. Düsseldorf Airport, the fourth-largest airport in Germany, is set to cancel around 30 percent of its scheduled flights on February 24, 2025. This comes as a result of a 24-hour strike organized by the United Services Union (ver.di), which is demanding better wages and improved conditions for security personnel.

The strike follows similar industrial action at Cologne-Bonn Airport, where a 24-hour walkout began on Sunday evening and continues into Monday. According to the airport’s website, as of 6 a.m. on Monday morning, 106 of the 168 scheduled passenger flights had already been canceled. Officials have warned that disruptions will likely persist throughout the day, causing “massive disruptions to flight operations” and further flight cancellations.

Passengers flying through these airports are strongly advised to check their flight status with their airline or tour operator before heading to the airport to avoid unnecessary delays or cancellations.

This latest strike comes after ver.di organized a 48-hour “warning” strike last Thursday, which severely impacted Berlin’s public transport system, affecting trams, buses, and metro services operated by the state-run BVG.

Italy: Nationwide Strike Disrupts Public Transport and Flights

Italy is set to experience widespread travel disruption on February 24, as a 24-hour strike by public transport workers affects local buses, trams, and metro lines across the country. Major cities such as Rome, Milan, and Turin are expected to bear the brunt of the disruptions, while Venice may also see reduced services on its water buses and ferries, according to the local public transport operator ACTV.

While Italy’s strike laws require some essential services, known as “servizi essenziali or minimi,” to continue, passengers should be prepared for delays and cancellations, especially outside of peak commuting hours. Although long-distance trains and taxis are not expected to be directly impacted by the strike, they could see increased demand as travelers seek alternative transport options.

This strike was called by the Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) union earlier this month as part of their ongoing fight for higher wages and improved contract conditions.

Beyond public transport disruptions, air travel in Italy will also be affected, with baggage handlers at Venice Marco Polo Airport set to stage a 24-hour strike on February 28. Meanwhile, their counterparts at Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport will participate in a four-hour strike from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the same day. It remains unclear whether these walkouts will cause widespread flight cancellations, but passengers should anticipate delays and disruptions to ground services such as check-in and baggage handling.

Greece: Nationwide Air Travel Strike on February 28

Greece will experience significant travel disruption on February 28, as all commercial flights in the country are set to be canceled due to a nationwide strike. Air traffic controllers will be joining a 24-hour general strike, which is expected to cause widespread chaos for both domestic and international travelers.

The strike has been called by labor unions representing workers across both the public and private sectors, marking the second anniversary of the devastating Tempe rail disaster that claimed the lives of 57 people. The 2023 train crash in northern Greece, which resulted from a head-on collision between a freight train and a passenger train, exposed major safety flaws in the country’s railway system. Public outrage over the tragedy remains high, with calls for justice and improved safety measures continuing to gain momentum.

During the strike, only essential flights—such as medical evacuations, search and rescue missions, humanitarian aid deliveries, and military operations—will be allowed to proceed. All other flights, both arrivals and departures, will be grounded.

The first anniversary of the Tempe disaster saw a similar nationwide strike that halted train and ferry services across the country. Earlier this year, a mass protest was held to continue pushing for accountability and better safety regulations.

Belgium: Ongoing Monthly Strikes Impact Airports

Belgium’s airport workers continue to engage in mass walkouts on the 13th of every month, causing severe disruptions to flight schedules. These strikes, which involve all airport security staff and baggage handlers, have led to widespread flight cancellations at major airports across the country, including Brussels Airport and Charleroi Airport.

The strike action is being led by trade unions protesting against the Belgian government’s controversial pension reform plans, as well as long-standing labor concerns related to working conditions and wages.

Earlier this month, all departing flights from Brussels Airport and Charleroi Airport were canceled due to the strike. A spokesperson for Brussels Airport urged travelers not to come to the airport on strike days unless absolutely necessary, as airlines will directly inform passengers about any flight cancellations or changes.

With these monthly strikes continuing indefinitely, travelers should anticipate further disruptions in the coming months and stay updated on any changes to flight schedules.

United Kingdom: Ongoing Train Strikes on the West Coast Main Line

Rail passengers in the United Kingdom will face regular disruptions over the coming months as Avanti West Coast workers continue their strike action every Sunday until May 25. This industrial action is a result of an ongoing dispute over pay for work on rest days, with the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union leading the strike.

Travelers planning to use Avanti West Coast services on affected Sundays should expect delays and cancellations, particularly on key routes along the West Coast Main Line, which connects London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow.

Passengers who booked tickets before the strikes were announced on December 17 are entitled to travel on alternative dates. Those who no longer wish to travel can also claim a full refund for their pre-booked tickets from their point of purchase.

Travel Disruptions Likely to Continue

As strikes across Europe continue, passengers should remain vigilant and check for updates before setting out on their journeys. Whether traveling by air, rail, or public transport, disruptions are likely to persist as workers push for better wages and working conditions.

For the most up-to-date information, travelers are advised to monitor official transport websites, check directly with airlines or train operators, and allow extra time for their journeys.

The post UK, Italy, Germany, Greece, and Belgium Hit by New Strikes in February to May as Travel Chaos Spreads Across Europe Flights, Trains, Buses, and Metro Services Affected – What You Need to Know appeared first on Travel And Tour World.