Passengers travelling through London’s busiest airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, face potential chaos as pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff prepare for a significant strike on September 7. The planned industrial action threatens to cause widespread disruption, including severe delays and flight cancellations, impacting thousands of travellers throughout the day.
The strike involves employees from two major airlines, ITA Airways and Wizz Air, as well as ground handling staff and air traffic controllers at key Italian airports. The walkout is scheduled between 1 PM and 5 PM local time, a peak period for travel. However, flights scheduled during the early morning hours (7 AM to 10 AM) and evening (6 PM to 9 PM) are expected to operate as usual, in accordance with Italian national law.
ITA Airways, which operates flights from London City and Gatwick airports, and Wizz Air, with services from Gatwick and Luton airports, are directly affected by the strikes. Travellers using these airlines should prepare for possible disruptions, including delays or cancellations, especially if they are scheduled to fly during the strike window.
Adding to the potential turmoil, ground handling staff at Florence Peretola Airport (FLR), Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), and Pisa International Airport (PSA) are also set to strike. Meanwhile, air traffic control staff at Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) plan to join the walkout, affecting flights between these airports and several London airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton.
This upcoming strike is just the latest in a series of industrial actions that have plagued European travel this year. A similar strike by Wizz Air staff earlier in 2024 led to significant disruptions across their network, underscoring the potential for widespread impact on September 7.
Passengers planning to travel to or from these affected airports are advised to stay informed by regularly checking flight statuses and preparing for potential delays. Those with flexibility in their travel plans may want to consider rescheduling their flights to avoid the peak strike hours.
With the busy summer travel season coming to an end, the timing of this strike could not be worse for travellers, many of whom are returning from holidays or business trips. The ripple effect of these walkouts could extend beyond the immediate strike window, leading to residual delays and cancellations even after the industrial action has concluded.
As the date approaches, travellers should monitor updates from airlines and airport authorities to minimize the impact on their journeys.
