Border Force, ferry, airline and airport strikes in August

Holidaymakers headed for Portugal this weekend could face flight disruption as airport ground handlers go on strike. Border Force staff at Heathrow are also preparing for a month of strike action.

Travellers on their way to Lisbon and Porto have been warned of 'numerous flight cancellations' with a strike notice given for August 31 until midnight on September 1. A four-day Border Force strike will also begin on Saturday at all four Heathrow terminals over complaints that new rosters are inflexible.

They are not the only strikes that will affect late summer holidays. To help you avoid disruption, we’ve rounded up major travel strike dates below in crucial holiday destinations and the UK. We’ll update this regularly. If you already have travel planned, we'll advise what to do and your rights if your journey is delayed or cancelled.

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Portugal airport ground handlers strike

Holidaymakers headed to Lisbon and Porto could face significant disruption on the last few days of the UK summer holidays. Numerous flight cancellations are expected as workers employed by Groundforce Portugal walk out over a dispute over pay and working conditions.

Passengers have been advised to contact airlines such as easyJet, TAP Air Portugal, British Airways, Ryanair, and Wizz Air to confirm their travel plans.  

Heathrow airport strikes in September

Border Force staff at Heathrow are preparing to take strike action throughout September.  Around 650 members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), who work at passport control, are expected to walk out for four days from Saturday.  Staff will then work to rule and refuse to work overtime from September 4 to 22.

The union argues that staff wellbeing is being impacted by the new rosters, with four in five Heathrow Border Force workers said to suffer from stress at work. 

A Home Office spokesperson said that 'robust plans' are in place to minimise disruption, but they urge passengers to check the latest advice from operators before they travel.

Gatwick airport strikes in September

There are currently none planned.

Take a look at the best and worst rated UK airports in our survey results.

Italy strike dates this summer

The good news is that if you're travelling in or out of Italy on peak summer dates, you won't get caught up in strike disruption.

Industrial action impacting Italy's air transport sector is not permitted between July 27 and September 5. However, on September 7 pilots and cabin staff at Italy's flag carrier ITA Airways and budget airline Wizz Air plan to strike from 1-5pm. 

Air traffic controllers at Rome Fiumicino and Olbia Airport, and baggage handlers at Milan Malpensa, Florence Amerigo Vespucci and Pisa Galileo Galilei also plan to walk out over the same four-hour period.

Pasengers using public transport on Monday 9 September may also face delays and cancellations as staff at Italy's bus, tram and train services plan to strike for eight hours.

Airline strikes in Germany

Pilots and cabin crew of Lufthansa-owned airline Discover will walk out from 27 August to September 1. All Discover departures from Germany will be affected.

Air traffic control strikes in France in September

Air traffic controllers in France were planning a nationwide walk out on Friday 15 September. However, union the SNCTA has announced that an agreement has been reached and the strike is cancelled.

How can I check if my flight is affected by strikes, and what are my rights if I miss my flight?

Firstly, check your airline’s and airport websites to see if your flight is delayed - often, the latter is updated more quickly. 

If security staff strike, long queues may mean you miss your plane. If you are in the security queue and your flight departs soon, make a fuss and let staff know the urgency. Security staff may fast-track you. Alternatively, contact your airline before the flight departs to tell them you won’t get through security in time - some, like British Airways, offer free rebooking. 

If you miss your flight during airport staff strikes due to queues, you may be able to make a claim against the airport under the Frustrated Contracts Act, but this would likely require going to court.

You could claim on your travel insurance if it includes missed departure, provided you followed airline advice and arrived at the airport at the right time.  See our advice on what time you should get to the airport. Keep hold of evidence proving when you turned up at the airport (such as car park or train tickets) in case you can claim.

If airline staff go on strike, it can lead to long check-in and bag drop queues. If, while queuing, it becomes apparent you may miss your flight, call your airline before departure to see if you can move to a later flight for free. Unlike security queues, the airline is responsible if you miss your flight due to long check-in and bag drop queues.

You may be able to claim for a missed flight under the Consumer Rights Act or via your insurance policy. Find out more about your rights if you miss your flight because of disruption at the airport.

Airline cancellations and delays refund and compensation advice

If an airline cancels your flight for any reason, you are covered under the Denied Boarding Regulation, provided you are due to fly with a UK or EU airline or any carrier departing from a UK or EU airport. You must be offered a refund or rerouting (either on the next available flight on any airline or at an agreed future date, although this is often difficult to enforce). 

Your airline must also offer assistance if your flight is delayed by more than two or three hours (it depends on how far you are flying). That includes vouchers for food and drink and, if required, overnight accommodation. See more on what you’re entitled to in our strikes compensation guide.

Will I get compensation for strike delays and cancellations?

It depends on why your airline cancelled or delayed the flight. 

If an airline cancels your flight because its staff are striking, you’re entitled to compensation - unless informed of the cancellation at least two weeks before departure. There are other rules on remuneration; check our denied boarding regulations advice guide.

However, if a flight is cancelled because of airport staff, border force or air traffic control strikes, this will be classified as an extraordinary circumstance. You are entitled to a refund or rerouting but not compensation. 

Can I cancel and get a refund for my flight or holiday if it’s due to take place on a strike date?

If you choose to cancel a flight-only booking, it’s unlikely you’ll get a refund. It is better to wait to see if the airline cancels first.

However, if you want to move your package holiday, some companies are more flexible than others. Check T&Cs for the costs of moving or cancelling your holiday when you no longer wish to travel. 

Are there Border Force strikes planned in ferry ports?

There are currently no plans for Border Force to strike at UK ferry ports.

What can I do if Border Force strikes mean I miss my ferry?

If Border Force staff strike at ports, allow extra time as queues at the UK border in France will likely be longer than usual. 

It’s worth packing extra water and food, especially for those passengers driving, as you may be stuck in your car for an extended period. Make sure your phone is charged and you can access roaming, as you may need to rebook an alternative crossing via an app or website. 

You won't receive compensation if your journey is delayed. Industrial action and disputes are classed as 'extraordinary circumstances', meaning ferry companies won't pay out.

Discover the best and worst UK ferry routes in our survey results.