If a strike occurs before your trip, it can spoil all the fun. From individual airlines to rail networks, strikes can expand across various industries, leading to vacation disruptions. Strikes are generally accompanied by protests, forcing travellers to revise their plans once more. Faced with staff shortages and high levels of disruption, workers in the transportation industry face long, stressful hours, not to mention poor working conditions. Due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and decrease in pay, many of them are doing it all for lower salaries.
Holidaymakers have already been affected by travel-related strikes this year. As we can all remember, the strike action at Gatwick Airport planned by ground handlers was cancelled in the nick of time after workers received an improved pay offer. When airport staff goes on strike, flights are automatically cancelled, and luggage is delayed or lost. Likewise, railway service cancellations might occur if operators leave suddenly. Travelling abroad is far from straightforward, so you must be prepared for disruptions to your journey.
The Latest Developments on Transport Strikes from the UK To Europe
2023 wasn’t exactly the transport industry’s best, even if travel demand skyrocketed because workers struggled to keep up. Airports and railway stations were impacted by a series of walkouts ahead of the holiday season, threatening family breaks, with people taking action over pay and working conditions. Airports like Heathrow managed to avoid some of the challenges by using eGates and requiring assistance from Army personnel. The rail industry is under pressure to save money, so pay offers don’t reflect the rising cost of living.
At the time of writing, there are no planned strikes for Manchester Airport because the Unite union struck a pay deal for more than 2000 workers. Being organised is the only way to minimise parking Manchester Airport spend, so book in advance to unlock discounts. If you’re flying out of Luton Airport, you should know that 24-hour strikes have been announced for the start of September, disrupting the Wizz Air schedule. Luton Airport is served by East Midlands Railway and Thameslink services; they’re not expected to be affected by the strike.
The union for air traffic controllers in France is set to go on strike on September 15 and October 13 in a pay dispute that coincides with the Rugby World Cup. Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to visit for this sporting event. At any rate, these walkouts could result in widespread flight cancellations and impact flights from other countries that cross the French airspace. You should contact your air travel provider to confirm arrangements made before the dates mentioned earlier. Ground transportation arrangements might need to be rescheduled if delays are anticipated.
In Italy, ground staff at airports will participate in a strike on September 8, demanding increased pay in line with inflation. Further airport staff industrial actions are issued for September 16 and September 29. For the time being, it’s unclear how many individuals will take part in the level of disruption. Holidaymakers are set to face major chaos even if plans are activated to limit the inconvenience to passengers. It might be necessary to rebook on the first available flights.
Will The Latest Series of Walkouts Affect You? Not If You’re Careful
Airlines and railway operators must share information on the latest developments (e.g., trade union negotiations) and strikes if they affect your travel. You can check for the latest information on the company’s website or opt for email and text notifications to stay up to date with the most recent events. As long as you know where strikes will occur, you can plan your trip around them. Leave enough time to get to your destination if you have reason to believe that a strike might interfere with your plane or train travel if you’re headed to a large hub such as Heathrow Airport.
Even if snap strikes can take place, employees’ refusal to go to work requires planning and communicating ahead of time. This way, travellers can adjust their itineraries. Speaking of which, you should plan a flexible itinerary, book flexible fares, and leverage sites that allow you to make multiple bookings for options that can be cancelled at the last minute. Regardless of the reason, Parkos allows you to cancel your airport parking reservation 24 hours prior to departure, so there’s no reason to fret if something impacts your long-awaited vacation.
A final step in planning for transport strikes from the UK to Europe is to have travel insurance. You’re entitled to a refund for your flight or train from the transport operator, but you may be able to reclaim other expenses, such as accommodation. The rules apply to domestic and international trips. If you must travel during a strike, it’s a good idea to arrive earlier than usual and be prepared for possible disruptions. Equally important is to have a backup plan – in other words, to have a secondary airport to fly out of/into or take the car instead of travelling by rail.
Finally, yet importantly, wear comfortable shoes to ensure you can get through it all without pain. For example, if you can’t secure alternative accommodation, you might have to walk back to your hotel, so invest in shoes that protect your feet and don’t underestimate the activities you’ll be undertaking. If you bring the wrong shoes, you’ll suffer from blisters, cuts, or something worse (e.g., an ankle injury). It’s not recommended to wait until you’re on vacation to buy new shoes, as you’ll have to break in the new pair of kicks.
Concluding Thoughts
The threat of a strike is exactly what it sounds like – a threat. Getting to the airport or railway station could be a challenge, so it pays to be prepared, especially with more walkouts on the horizon. Travel and tourism aren’t on anyone’s mind, so check if your hotel reservations and other plans don’t overlap with existing labour action. Even if nothing is on the books, you should have a plan B, C, and so forth.
