France, Italy, and Greece Hit by New Travel Strikes From April to June: What You Need to Know Before Planning Your European Easter Holiday

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As France, Italy, and Greece brace for a series of strikes from April to June 2025, travelers planning to visit these countries during the Easter holidays should be aware of potential disruptions. These strikes, which will affect air traffic control, airline services, and rail networks, are the result of ongoing disputes over wages and working conditions. In Greece, air traffic controllers are set to ground flights, while in Italy, EasyJet cabin crew will strike, causing delays at major airports. Additionally, France is facing a six-week rail strike, potentially impacting train services. Understanding these disruptions and your rights as a traveler is crucial for ensuring a smooth Easter holiday experience in Europe, especially if your plans involve flights or train journeys to these key destinations.

The school Easter holidays have begun across the UK, prompting many families to head off on vacations. However, for travelers heading to Europe in the coming weeks, several disruptions are expected due to ongoing strikes. These strikes, affecting air traffic, airline services, and rail networks in countries such as Greece, Italy, and France, are likely to disrupt holiday plans for many.

Here’s everything you need to know if you’re planning to travel to Europe during the Easter holidays in April 2025.

Greek Air Traffic Control Strike Disrupts Flights

On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, air traffic controllers in Greece will participate in a 24-hour strike called by the public sector union Adedy. The strike is part of an ongoing dispute over wage disagreements and will result in a complete grounding of commercial flights in Greece for the duration of the industrial action.

This disruption is expected to affect all flights to and from Greek airports, including major hubs such as Athens, Thessaloniki, and Heraklion. Travelers planning to fly to or from Greece on April 9 are advised to check with their airlines or tour operators for the latest updates. Similar strikes in the past have seen all commercial flights grounded, so it’s essential to stay informed.

If your travel plans are affected by the strike, remember that, since this is a case of air traffic control disruption, passengers will likely not be eligible for compensation under European Union regulations. However, airlines are still required to offer assistance, including food, drink, and accommodation (if the delay extends overnight), as well as transport to and from the airport, if necessary.

Heathrow Strikes Affect Passenger Assistance and British Airways Cleaners

In addition to disruptions in Greece, several strikes are set to impact UK travelers, particularly at Heathrow Airport. On April 9, approximately 500 airport staff responsible for assisting passengers with limited mobility will participate in a strike. These workers, employed by Wilson James, are in dispute over pay discrepancies compared to their counterparts at Gatwick Airport.

Furthermore, approximately 50 British Airways cleaners employed by OCS at Heathrow are also taking part in a strike on the same day. These cleaners are protesting low pay, claiming they are being paid the minimum wage despite working in one of the most expensive cities globally. Some cleaners have reportedly been forced to rely on food banks and struggle to meet basic living expenses.

Passengers flying through Heathrow on April 9 should anticipate delays, particularly those who require assistance with mobility. British Airways passengers are advised to stay updated on their flight status, and it is recommended to check for any additional information regarding possible delays or cancellations.

EasyJet Cabin Crew Strike in Italy

Another major disruption will occur in Italy, where EasyJet flight attendants are set to strike for four hours on April 9, from 10:30 AM local time. This strike is likely to impact EasyJet flights arriving at and departing from Naples and Milan airports, which are among the busiest in Italy. Affected travelers should be aware that flights to and from these airports could be delayed or canceled.

EasyJet confirmed they had been formally advised of the strike and were working to minimize the impact on passengers. The airline will reach out to impacted passengers directly and provide them with alternative options to adjust their travel arrangements. While the disruption is expected to last only four hours, it could cause significant inconvenience, especially during the busy holiday period.

Potential Rail Strikes in France

For those traveling to France during the Easter holidays, it’s important to be aware of potential rail strikes. The French rail union SUD-Rail has announced a six-week strike notice, set to take place from April 17 to June 2, 2025. The strike action will primarily involve ticket conductors protesting for better pay and job security. SUD-Rail represents around 8,000 workers, and while no specific strike dates have been announced, there is a possibility that industrial action will disrupt services during the Easter period.

If you’re planning to travel by train in France during this time, be sure to monitor updates from the French rail network (SNCF). Strikes could occur with as little as two days’ notice, so it’s essential to stay flexible and check regularly for any service disruptions.

Your Rights if Your Trip is Affected by Strikes

While strikes can cause significant inconvenience, European regulations provide certain protections for passengers. If your flight is delayed due to a strike, airlines are still required to fulfill their duty of care. For delays exceeding two hours, passengers are entitled to food and drink, as well as accommodation and transport if the delay requires an overnight stay.

If your flight is delayed for over five hours, you are entitled to cancel and request a refund, or you can opt for the earliest available re-routing to your destination. In case of a complete flight cancellation, you should receive a full refund within seven days. Alternatively, you may be given the option to re-route, but no refund will be provided if you choose this option.

European regulations also safeguard train passengers. If your train is canceled and the delay exceeds 60 minutes, you are entitled to a full or partial refund within 30 days. Furthermore, if the cancellation disrupts your journey, you have the right to either a return trip to your original departure point or a re-routing at no extra charge.

Train operators are also responsible for your well-being. If they do not provide information about re-routing options within 100 minutes of the scheduled departure time for a canceled service, you are entitled to arrange an alternative travel plan and request reimbursement from the company.

As France, Italy, and Greece face major strikes from April to June 2025, travelers planning an Easter holiday in Europe should prepare for significant disruptions to air traffic, airline services, and rail networks. Stay informed to avoid delays and ensure smooth travel during the holiday period.

Conclusion: Stay Informed and Flexible

As the Easter holidays get underway, travelers should be prepared for potential disruptions in Greece, Italy, and France due to ongoing strikes. Whether you’re flying to Greece, taking the train through France, or catching a flight with EasyJet in Italy, it’s important to stay informed and check for updates on your travel plans. Be sure to understand your rights and the steps you can take if your journey is impacted by these strikes.

In the face of these disruptions, flexibility and preparedness are key. By staying up-to-date with the latest travel news and making contingency plans, you can minimize the impact of these strikes on your Easter holiday travel.