The traveler’s guide to Europe’s labor strikes

So far, 2023 in Western Europe has been marked by workers’ strikes. Inflation and stagnated wages (and, in some cases, reforms to welfare entitlements) have driven people in many industries to prolonged, repeated strikes. And unfortunately for locals and visitors alike, the labor conflicts are making travel more complicated in many major destinations. 

In France, widespread strikes including transportation workers have been ongoing since President Macron raised the full-pension retirement age from 62 to 64 years old in January. Both the UK and the US have published advisories cautioning travelers to be prepared for potential unrest, though the UK message notes that most visits so far have been safe and uninterrupted.

Besides keeping an eye out for the next round of strikes, being strategic about where, exactly, you go can make a big difference. Protests have been concentrated in large urban centers like Paris, Bordeaux and Marseille, while more rural areas offer relative peace and quiet.

Security workers at Heathrow, London’s largest airport, have three strikes on the books for May. The Heathrow strikes are scheduled for May 4-6, 9-10, and 25-27. A statement on the airport’s website makes clear that while the airport will be open during these periods, “strike action may cause disruption to the travel plans of some passengers.” They encourage travelers to monitor their flight status diligently. An earlier, 10-day strike in April by the Heathrow staff resulted in hundreds of canceled flights. 

Elsewhere in the UK, security workers at Glasgow Airport in Scotland are in the midst of salary negotiations and have threatened to strike this summer if they don’t receive a satisfactory offer.

Over 300 pilots at Spanish airline Air Europa are on strike for the entire first week of May, as are those at airline Air Nostrum and ground service company Swissport.

As irritating and potentially dangerous as strikes and protests can be, part of being a responsible traveler means standing by workers who are trying to secure good working conditions and fair compensation. So far, the strikes have led to some canceled flights but not an out-and-out shutdown of all travel. Unlike protests in Peru that stranded over 300 international tourists at Machu Picchu when train services shut down, it’s still possible for travelers to get to their destination in Europe. At this point, it’s mostly a question of navigating last-minute delays, cancellations and other inconveniences.

The best way to prevent last-minute disruptions to your own itinerary, and to avoid crossing any picket lines, is to stay informed. Keep an eye on international travel advisories, local news and transportation apps. If a flight or train ride does end up being canceled or delayed, you’re probably entitled to a refund or free re-booking, depending on the situation. 

Unfortunately for both the striking workers and everyone who was hoping to travel to the famous city of lights in springtime—or a number of other Western European hubs—there’s no end in sight to the strikes. Until the companies and unions can reach an equitable agreement, we’re all just going to have to plan accordingly.