Holidaymakers heading to popular European destinations this September face widespread chaos as multiple strikes have been confirmed across France, Italy, Portugal and Spain, threatening to derail travel plans during the crucial shoulder season when millions seek affordable autumn getaways.
The industrial action comes at the worst possible time for British travellers hoping to catch the last of the summer sun, with walkouts scheduled at major airports, affecting ground staff, baggage handlers and air traffic controllers. Ryanair alone has warned that up to 700 flights and more than 125,000 passengers could face cancellations, whilst strikes in Portugal will continue periodically until January 2026.
September marks the start of the shoulder season when temperatures in hotspots like Seville and Lisbon drop from unbearable 40°C highs to more comfortable 26-30°C, making it particularly popular with families without school-age children. However, those banking on cheaper flights and accommodation may find their bargain breaks turning into costly nightmares.
France: Air Traffic Control Strike Postponed to October
French air traffic controllers have postponed their planned September strike following the collapse of François Bayrou’s government in a vote of no confidence on 8 September. The SNCTA union, representing 70 per cent of France’s controllers, has rescheduled the action for 7-10 October 2025.
“The absence of a minister of transport currently makes it impossible to achieve demands at the ministerial level,” the union stated, explaining their decision to delay. The walkout had initially been planned for 18-19 September as part of wider national protests.
SNCTA general secretary Guillaume Sintes told French media: “Given that a new prime minister has been appointed and that some time will be needed to form a government, we have no one to negotiate with to reach an agreement on our demands at ministerial level by September 18th.”
The union is demanding full salary adjustments for 2024 in line with inflation and reforms to what they describe as “toxic” management practices. “For several years now, air traffic control governance has been characterised by mistrust, punitive practices and degrading management methods,” the union declared in an August statement.
Despite the SNCTA postponement, smaller unions may still strike on 18 September, potentially causing disruption. Former transport minister Philippe Tabarot had warned it would be “very probably be a black day” for travellers before the government collapsed.
Italy: 24-Hour Aviation Chaos on 26 September
Italian airports face paralysis on 26 September when multiple aviation strikes converge in a perfect storm of industrial action. The transport union CUB Trasporti has called a 24-hour walkout affecting baggage handlers, ground staff and airport workers across the country.
Staff at Milan’s Malpensa and Linate airports will walk out for four hours, whilst security staff at Sardinia’s Cagliari Elmas Airport plan to strike for the full 24 hours. Low-cost carrier Volotea’s pilots and cabin crew will also stage a 24-hour strike on the same day.
The strikes follow the end of Italy’s “franchigia estiva” – a legally mandated period banning strikes during peak summer season from late July to early September. Over 20 separate walkouts have been confirmed for September alone by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
“We believe these men had been setting up cannabis farms to make a substantial and illegal profit,” a spokesperson said, referring to working conditions that unions claim are driving the protests. Staff are demanding better pay agreements, improved staffing levels and enhanced working conditions across Italy’s transport sector.
Italian law protects flights scheduled between 07:00-10:00 and 18:00-21:00, meaning these should operate normally even during strikes. However, travellers should expect severe delays, long queues at check-in counters and potential cancellations outside these protected windows.
Portugal: 76 Days of Rolling Strikes Until 2026
Portugal faces the longest and most complex strike action, with ground handling staff at Menzies Aviation announcing 76 days of stoppages running from 3 September 2025 to 2 January 2026. The action affects all major Portuguese airports including Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira and the Azores.
The Metallurgical and Related Industries Union (SIMA) has strategically scheduled strikes to maximise disruption during peak travel periods. September dates include:
- 3-9 September
- 12-15 September
- 19-22 September
- 26-28 September
October strikes are planned for 3-6, 10-13, 17-20, 24-27, and 31 October to 3 November, with further action continuing through Christmas and New Year.
SIMA is demanding an end to base salaries below Portugal’s €870 monthly minimum wage, proper payment for night shifts, employee parking and fulfilment of previously agreed terms. Union leader Carlos Araújo accused management of choosing “confrontation instead of dialogue” and turning their backs on workers “in the middle of the high tourist season.”
Portugal’s Arbitration Court has mandated minimum services during strikes, requiring 100 per cent of flights between mainland Portugal and the islands to operate, whilst 35 per cent of other international flights must be maintained. However, this still leaves substantial room for disruption, particularly for UK routes.
Spain: Ryanair Strikes Continue Until New Year
Spanish airports face ongoing disruption as Azul Handling workers – who provide ground services for Ryanair – continue strikes every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 31 December 2025. Over 3,000 workers are participating in the action, which began on 15 August.
The strikes run from 05:00-09:00, 12:00-15:00 and 21:00-23:59, deliberately targeting the busiest operational periods. Twelve Spanish airports are affected, including Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, Santiago de Compostela, Sevilla, Tenerife South and Valencia.
José Manuel Pérez Grande from UGT’s aviation sector accused Azul Handling of maintaining “a strategy of precariousness and pressure that undermines basic labour rights.” Workers are demanding better working conditions, job security, proper overtime payments and an end to what unions call “disproportionate sanctions.”
Whilst Ryanair insists it doesn’t expect disruption, stating “we do not expect any interruption to our operations as a result of these third-party strikes in Spain,” the scale and duration of the action suggests otherwise. The airline has fewer than 20 per cent of Azul Handling staff in union membership, but strategic timing could still cause significant delays.
Impact on British Travellers
UK holidaymakers face a triple threat: strikes at their destination airports, potential delays flying through French airspace even when not visiting France, and knock-on effects from disrupted aircraft schedules across Europe.
Michael O’Leary’s Ryanair has been particularly vocal about the French strikes’ impact, warning that one in three European flights passes through French airspace. The airline had predicted up to 700 flight cancellations affecting 125,000 passengers from the original September strikes alone.
EasyJet, British Airways, Vueling, Lufthansa and Air France all face potential disruption, particularly on routes crossing French airspace between the UK, Spain and Italy. Even flights not landing in France could experience delays if controllers walk out.
Passenger Rights and Compensation
Travellers caught in strike chaos should know their rights under EU Regulation 261/2004. Airlines must provide refunds or alternative flights for cancellations, plus care including meals, accommodation and transport during delays.
However, compensation rules vary depending on who strikes. If airline staff strike, passengers may claim €250-€600 depending on flight distance. But strikes by third parties like air traffic controllers, security staff or ground handlers are considered “extraordinary circumstances,” exempting airlines from paying compensation.
Passengers should keep all receipts, check in online where possible, arrive at airports early and consider travelling with carry-on luggage only to avoid baggage handling delays. Travel insurance purchased before strikes were announced may provide additional cover.
With industrial action set to continue across multiple countries through autumn and into 2026, September’s shoulder season bargain hunters may find themselves paying a higher price than expected – not in money, but in stress, delays and disrupted holidays.
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Image Credit:
Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 9H-VVI from Ryanair (close view, 31 March 2024) — photo by Hugo Luc, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
