Strike tomorrow? We'll tell you the day before.

Christmas 2026 strikes and UK flights: what is confirmed so far

By FlightClaimHQ Newsroom
Published 4 November 2026

As of 4 November 2026, one strike directly affecting flights between the UK and Europe over Christmas has been announced: easyJet cabin crew based in Portugal plan to walk out from 19 to 23 December. Two local strikes are also planned at Italian airports in mid-December. We have found no strike announced for December at UK airports, at UK airlines or at Border Force. This page is updated as notices are confirmed, suspended or called off.

See the full strike calendar →

easyJet Portugal cabin crew: 19 to 23 December

The strike was called by SNPVAC, the Portuguese cabin crew union, and approved unanimously with 188 votes at a general assembly, according to Dinheiro Vivo. It covers crew based at Lisbon, Porto and Faro.

According to DNoticias, the minimum services set by the Portuguese labour authority for the December strike include one daily Lisbon to London return flight. Other UK routes, such as flights to and from Faro or Porto, are not on that list and could be cancelled if the strike goes ahead. The strike is announced, not certain: talks between easyJet and the union can still change the picture. Our article of 20 October follows this dispute in detail.

Our claims service

Italy: Rome and Bologna airports, 14 and 15 December

Italian strike calendars published by Scioperi Italia and Qualitytravel list a 24-hour strike on 14 December by staff of the ground-handling company Aviation Services at Rome Fiumicino and Ciampino, called by FAST-Confsal, and a 24-hour strike on 15 December by staff of ENAV, the Italian air navigation service provider, at Bologna airport, called by UILT-UIL. Both are planned and may still be changed or revoked.

UK airports, UK airlines and Border Force

As of 4 November we have found no strike announced for December in the UK. Loganair cabin crew accepted a two-year pay deal, STV reported on 30 October, so the strike threat is over for now. At Leeds Bradford Airport, strikes planned for the October half-term were suspended for talks brokered by Acas; Unite said its members still have a strong mandate and could announce new action if the talks fail, AeroCorner reported.

France, Spain and other countries

In the sources we checked, we have found no strike notice affecting flights in France, Spain or Germany for December as of 4 November. The situation can change quickly before Christmas.

Your rights if a strike hits your flight

Under the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (C-28/20, Airhelp v SAS, 23 March 2021), a strike by an airline's own staff over their working conditions is generally not an extraordinary circumstance, so compensation can be due for the easyJet strike if your flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure or arrives 3 hours or more late. A strike by air traffic control or airport staff is usually an extraordinary circumstance, so fixed compensation is usually not due. Whatever the cause, a cancelled flight gives you the choice of a refund or a new flight, and the airline must provide meals and, if needed, a hotel. FlightClaimHQ can check whether your flight qualifies and handle the claim for you.

Your rights if your flight is affected

You may be entitled to fixed compensation per passenger if:

your flight arrived at its final destination 3 hours or more late;
your flight was cancelled and you were told less than 14 days before departure;

UK261 (flights departing from the UK, or arriving in the UK with a UK or EU airline): £220, £350 or £520 depending on flight distance.

EU261 (flights departing from the EU, or arriving in the EU with an EU airline): €250, €400 or €600 depending on flight distance.

You cannot claim if the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances outside the airline's control, such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes. The airline must prove it.

Whatever the cause, while you wait the airline must provide care: meals and refreshments, and a hotel room with transfers if you are stuck overnight. Keep receipts for reasonable expenses.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a UK airport strike at Christmas 2026?

As of 4 November 2026 we have found no strike announced at UK airports for December. This page is updated if that changes.

Can I claim if easyJet cancels my flight because of the Portugal strike?

A strike by the airline's own cabin crew is generally not an extraordinary circumstance, so compensation may be due if the flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure or arrives 3 hours or more late. FlightClaimHQ can check your flight.