Flying to Italy or Spain? The strikes that could disrupt your vacation

Those planning a vacation in Spain or Italy in the next two weeks may encounter more than just the end-of-summer rush. A series of strikes at airports, ground services, and railways is expected to make travel difficult for passengers, and in some cases, make the journey to or from the airport particularly complicated.

In Barcelona, for example, a strike by employees of the ground handling company Groundforce continues at El Prat Airport. As of now, no end date has been set, so even passengers who have already booked a flight cannot know at this stage if they will encounter disruptions on the day of the flight.

The strike could affect a range of services that the passenger depends on from the moment they arrive at the airport: check-in procedures, boarding, baggage handling, and luggage delivery. For passengers, this could mean longer queues and delays in flights or in receiving luggage after landing.

For those flying from or landing in Barcelona during the strike period, it is recommended to arrive at the airport early, and at the same time, check with the airline if there have been any changes to the flight schedule or instructions prior to arriving at the airport.

And if Barcelona is not enough—Italy is also entering a September packed with strikes.

In Italy, additional disruptions are expected during September, and this time not only at airports. The strike schedule also includes the railway system, so the impact may also reach those who have already landed in the country and are planning to travel between cities.

On September 7 and 8, a nationwide railway strike is expected, which could affect passengers planning to get from the airport to city centers or continue to other destinations throughout Italy. Later in the month, strikes are also expected at airports. On September 11, a strike by airport staff in Olbia, Sardinia, is expected.

On September 13, additional disruptions are expected: security staff at Fiumicino and Ciampino airports in Rome are expected to strike, and at the same time, strikes are planned at the airports in Florence and Pisa between 11:00 and 15:00.

For travelers, this means that even a flight that goes as planned does not necessarily guarantee a smooth trip. A strike in public transport could make it difficult to reach the airport, and disruptions in ground services or security could increase waiting times at the airport.

Therefore, those flying to Spain or Italy in September should check not only the flight time, but also whether there is a planned strike on the day of travel—especially if they plan to use trains or fly through one of the airports where disruptions are expected.