Lois Larson
Airport strikes have been affecting travellers worldwide. In 2022, UK Border Force staff went on strike over the Christmas period, impacting London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, and Glasgow airports. In 2023, Spanish air traffic controllers went on strike, affecting 16 airports across the country. German airports have also been hit by labour strikes, causing flight cancellations and delays. UK airport strikes continue to disrupt travel in 2025, with planned strikes at Gatwick Airport during the Easter holiday weekend. With issues such as staff shortages, poor working conditions, and the cost of living crisis, it's no wonder that airport staff are taking industrial action. These strikes have caused significant disruptions for travellers, with many flights delayed or cancelled.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | Spring 2025, May and June 2025 |
| Countries | Germany, UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Greece |
| Airports | Frankfurt, Berlin, Bremen, Cologne, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Leipzig, Munich, Stuttgart, London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Heathrow |
| Affected Parties | Ground personnel, baggage handlers, cabin crew, air traffic control, border force, flight dispatchers, check-in staff |
| Reason | Pay disputes, poor working conditions, staff shortages, cost of living crisis, unpaid pensions, breaks between shifts |
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What You'll Learn
German airport strikes
German airports have been hit by labour strikes, causing the cancellation of most flights. The strikes involve public-sector employees at the airports, as well as ground and
The airports affected include Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf, Leipzig/Halle, Bremen, Hannover, Dortmund, and Stuttgart. At Frankfurt Airport, 1,054 of the day's 1,116 scheduled takeoffs and landings were cancelled. All of Berlin Airport's regular departures and arrivals were cancelled, while Hamburg Airport said no departures would be possible. Cologne/Bonn Airport said there was no regular passenger service, and Munich Airport advised travellers to expect a "greatly reduced flight schedule".
The strikes are part of a wage dispute between airport workers and their employers. The Ver.di service workers' union, which speaks for about 25,000 security personnel, is demanding an increase of €2.8 ($3) per hour, along with higher bonuses and overtime rates. The union has announced a "warning strike", a common tactic in German wage negotiations, which relates to two separate pay disputes.
Passengers are advised to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport and to plan for potential delays with check-ins and security. They should also get in touch with their travel agency to obtain up-to-date information regarding the airport and their flights.
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UK Border Force strikes
Strikes at airports can be extremely disruptive to travellers, and with staff shortages, poor working conditions, and the cost of living crisis, it's no surprise that airport staff are taking industrial action. In 2024, UK Border Force workers took strike action over pay and working conditions, and in 2025, more than 100 Gatwick Airport workers announced industrial action during the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, causing potential disruption to around 50 flights per day.
Border Force officers at Heathrow Airport have also been balloted for strike action due to a dispute over a new roster system, which staff say forces them to work long shifts with a lack of flexibility and negatively impacts those with caring responsibilities. Over 550 Border Force officers were balloted, and in 2024, PCS members took 11 days of strike action and 53 days of action short of a strike.
While there are currently no plans for Border Force to strike at UK ferry ports, UK Border Force workers who patrol the channel for small boats have voted to strike in a dispute over allowances. Specific strike dates have not been scheduled, and it is thought travel will not be disrupted. If Border Force staff do strike at ports, travellers are advised to allow extra time as queues at the UK border in France will likely be longer than usual. It is also recommended to bring extra water and food and ensure phones are charged to rebook alternative travel.
If you are travelling by plane and your flight is delayed or cancelled due to a strike, your airline must offer assistance, which may include vouchers for food and drink and overnight accommodation. If your flight is cancelled due to a strike, you are entitled to compensation unless you are informed of the cancellation at least two weeks before departure. However, if a flight is cancelled due to airport staff, Border Force, or air traffic control strikes, this is classified as an 'extraordinary circumstance', and you will not be compensated, although you are entitled to a refund or rerouting.
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Spanish air traffic controller strikes
In December 2010, a strike by Spanish air traffic controllers caused the closure of most of the country's airspace, affecting thousands of passengers. The dispute was over working conditions, schedules, and benefits, with controllers claiming they could earn up to 350,000 euros per year, a claim that was disputed. The strike began on December 3, when the government declared a lockout, and the next day, a 'State of Alert', conscripting controllers back to work under military supervision.
The Spanish government's response was strongly criticised by the ATCEUC (Air Traffic Controllers European Unions Coordination). Controllers were escorted by armed guards and faced arrest for not complying—some even reported being forced to work at gunpoint. This was the first time emergency powers had been used since democracy was restored in 1975.
The strike affected eight airports in total, including the country's two main airports, Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat. To continue operations, the military escorted controllers and took control of airspace.
More recently, in 2023, air traffic controllers at 16 Spanish airports, including Valencia and Palma de Mallorca, went on strike every Monday until the end of February. The affected airports were: A Coruna, Alicante-Elche, Castellon, Cuatro Vientos, El Hierro, Fuerteventura, Ibiza, Jerez, Lanzarote, La Palma, Lleida, Murcia, Sabadell, Sevilla, Valencia, and Vigo. While disruptions were minimal, unions decried the "abusive" minimum services workers were legally required to carry out.
In addition to air traffic controller strikes, travelers in Spain have also faced disruptions due to strikes by Ryanair, Air Nostrum, and Vueling employees.
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Strikes in Munich and Hamburg
Munich and Hamburg airports have been affected by strikes in 2025. In February, a two-day strike at Munich Airport, Germany's second-biggest airport, resulted in most flights being canceled. The ver.di service workers' union called the "warning strike" as a tactic to put pressure on negotiations with the federal government regarding wages and working conditions for public-sector employees. Munich Airport saw around 80% of scheduled flights canceled.
Hamburg Airport was also affected by the February strike, although the airport stated that only flights to and from Munich were canceled. Hamburg Airport advised travelers to arrive early and, if possible, with only hand baggage.
In March, German airports were hit by another 24-hour strike, which caused massive restrictions on departures and arrivals, including flight cancellations. Hamburg Airport was again affected, with almost all flights canceled due to a walkout by ground staff "without prior notice." The union Verdi called for warning strikes at around a dozen German airports, including Hamburg, in a dispute over wages.
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Strikes at Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport, the UK's second-biggest airport, has been affected by strikes multiple times in recent years. In July 2024, security staff and baggage workers were due to strike for six days throughout the month. However, the industrial action was called off after the union received improved pay offers from the airport.
In May and June 2025, Gatwick Airport faced further strike action. This time, the strikes involved two sets of workers with some overlap in dates: refuelling staff and baggage handlers employed by Redline Oil Services, and workers from Red Handling, which includes baggage handling, check-in, and flight dispatching staff. The strikes were scheduled to begin on Friday, 16 May, and continue on various dates until 1 June.
Unite the Union, which organised the strikes, warned of 'double the disruption' to flights at Gatwick during this period. The workers were protesting issues including unpaid pensions, breaks between shifts, pay, and sick leave. More than 100 workers were involved in the industrial action, and passengers were advised to check the London Gatwick Airport website to see if their flights were affected.
During the 2025 Easter Bank Holiday weekend, from Friday, 18 April, to Tuesday, 22 April, over 100 Gatwick Airport workers announced industrial action. The strikes were likely to impact operations at the airport during the peak Easter season.
The strikes at Gatwick Airport are part of a wider trend of industrial action by airport staff in the UK and across Europe. Issues such as staff shortages, poor working conditions, and the cost of living crisis have led to widespread dissatisfaction among workers, resulting in strikes and other forms of protest.
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Frequently asked questions
German airports have been hit by labour strikes, including Munich, Hamburg, Cologne/Bonn, Leipzig/Halle, Düsseldorf, and Berlin.
Strikes by UK Border Force staff have impacted Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, and Glasgow airports. Gatwick Airport was also affected by strikes during the 2025 Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
Passengers should check the status of their flight before heading to the airport and plan for potential delays. If your flight is delayed or cancelled due to strikes, you may be entitled to compensation, although this depends on the conditions of your airline and your travel insurance.
Airports across Europe, including in Italy, Belgium, Greece, and France, have experienced disruptions due to industrial action. Additionally, Spanish airports have been affected by air traffic controller strikes.
