European Airport Strikes: What Travelers Need to Know

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Travelers flying through parts of Europe face further disruption as airport and airline workers take industrial action, with hundreds of flights at risk of cancellation or rescheduling.

Charleroi Airport in Brussels is among the latest airports affected. Air traffic controllers have been striking since September 16 over the management of night-shift bonuses, disrupting flights during overnight hours, According to The Sun.

The strikes come as workers across Europe's aviation industry continue to raise concerns over pay, working conditions and staffing. Similar industrial action is also planned in Portugal, potentially affecting thousands of travelers during key holiday periods.

Why Are Flights Being Canceled in Brussels?

Charleroi Airport is facing continued disruption because of an ongoing strike by air traffic controllers.

The controllers are taking industrial action during every night shift, from 10 p.m. until 8 a.m. the following morning. The dispute centers on the management of bonuses paid for night shifts.

How Many Flights Are Affected?

On September 21, around 34 flights at Charleroi Airport were canceled, while another 21 were scheduled to be rescheduled.

At least 16 departures had already been canceled, including a Ryanair flight to Manchester in the United Kingdom. Around 20 arrivals were also canceled, including one from the UK.

Since the strike began, about 160 flights have been canceled, according to The Sun.

Ryanair, which operates flights to Charleroi from Newcastle, Manchester and Edinburgh, previously confirmed that at least 30 of its flights had been canceled because of the disruption.

The airport has advised passengers to check directly with their airlines for information about individual flights while it monitors the situation.

How Long Could the Brussels Strike Last?

The air traffic controllers' industrial action could continue until October 10.

The strikes take place during the overnight shifts, meaning disruption can affect flights scheduled around the start and end of the walkouts.

The exact impact can vary from day to day depending on the number of flights affected and how airlines adjust their schedules.

Passengers traveling through Charleroi are therefore advised to check their flight status regularly rather than relying solely on the airport's general updates.

Which Other European Flights Could Be Affected?

Belgium is not the only European country facing aviation-related industrial action.

Airline and airport workers in several parts of Europe have announced or carried out strikes over issues including pay, staffing levels, working conditions and employment agreements.

EasyJet Cabin Crew Strikes in Portugal

EasyJet cabin crew in Portugal are planning two periods of industrial action.

The first is scheduled for October 2 to 6, coinciding with Portugal's Republic Day celebrations on October 5. The second is planned for December 19 to 23, during the busy period leading up to Christmas.

The planned strikes could affect operations at Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports.

Around 500 scheduled flights could be at risk during the October action alone.

The industrial action follows a vote by 188 easyJet cabin crew members, who reportedly supported the strikes over unresolved labor and pay issues.

Among the concerns raised are changes to duty rosters, alleged breaches of collective labor agreements, differences in treatment between pilots and cabin crew, and pressure to work overtime amid staff shortages.

What Happens If a Flight Is Canceled Because of a Strike?

According to Time Out, the consequences for passengers can depend on which workers are striking and the policies of the airline involved.

When a flight is delayed or canceled, airlines may have obligations to provide assistance or compensation. However, compensation rules can differ when disruption is caused by circumstances outside an airline's control, such as strikes by airport staff or baggage handlers.

Travel insurance can also determine whether passengers are entitled to reimbursement for certain losses or additional expenses.

Can Passengers Get Compensation?

Passengers should check their airline's specific terms and conditions as well as their travel insurance policy.

If a strike has already been officially announced before a flight is booked, passengers are generally unlikely to receive compensation for disruption caused by that known industrial action.

This makes it important for travelers to check strike announcements before booking, including potential action involving both the airline and the airports at the beginning and end of their journey.

What Should Travelers Do Before Flying?

The possibility of a strike does not necessarily mean that a flight will be canceled.

Industrial action is often part of negotiations between workers and employers, and planned strikes can be called off if the two sides reach an agreement.

Still, travelers whose journeys coincide with announced strike dates should prepare for possible disruption.

Checking the airline's website or app for flight updates is one of the most important steps. Passengers should also monitor information from their departure and arrival airports and review their travel insurance coverage.

For travelers flying through Charleroi, Lisbon, Porto, Faro or other airports affected by industrial action, checking the status of the specific flight shortly before departure can help avoid unexpected problems.

As European airlines and airports continue to face labor disputes, passengers should expect schedules to remain subject to change while negotiations over pay, staffing and working conditions continue.

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