{"id":454069,"date":"2025-09-27T00:45:18","date_gmt":"2025-09-27T00:45:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/454069\/"},"modified":"2025-09-27T00:45:18","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T00:45:18","slug":"europe-travel-set-to-freeze-as-greece-joins-france-italy-netherlands-and-spain-with-new-strikes-disrupting-peak-october-travel-frenzy-everything-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/454069\/","title":{"rendered":"Europe Travel Set to Freeze as Greece Joins France, Italy, Netherlands, and Spain with New Strikes Disrupting Peak October Travel Frenzy, Everything You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelandtourworld.com\" title=\"Home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Home<\/a> \u00bb <a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelandtourworld.com\/news\/article\/category\/european-travel-news\/\" title=\"European Travel News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">European Travel News<\/a> \u00bb Europe Travel Set to Freeze as Greece Joins France, Italy, Netherlands, and Spain with New Strikes Disrupting Peak October Travel Frenzy, Everything You Need to Know <\/p>\n<p class=\"text-date\">  Published on<br \/>\nSeptember 27, 2025<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-date\"><strong>By: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelandtourworld.com\/news\/article\/author\/rana_pratap\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rana Pratap<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img class=\"wp-image-1110561 br-lazy\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0naHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmcnIHZpZXdCb3g9JzAgMCA4NTAgNTY3Jz48L3N2Zz4=\" data-breeze=\"https:\/\/www.travelandtourworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Strike-1-850x567.jpeg\" title=\"Strike - travel and tour world\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"567\" alt=\"Europe, greece, france, italy, netherlands, spain,\" data-br data-br\/><\/p>\n<p>Europe\u2019s travel is set to come to a <strong>standstill this October<\/strong>, as <strong>Greece<\/strong> faces nationwide strikes that will paralyze transport and tourism, followed by major disruptions in <strong>France<\/strong>, <strong>Italy<\/strong>, <strong>the Netherlands<\/strong>, and <strong>Spain<\/strong>, all of which are set to cripple travel across the continent. These disruptions are set to freeze some of Europe\u2019s busiest airports, railways, and public transport, right in the middle of peak travel season. Massive rail and flight cancellation and delays are in cards as strikes are set to freeze Europe\u2019s iconic destinations. Whether you\u2019re flying, taking the train, or trying to move around cities, <strong>October\u2019s travel chaos<\/strong> is going to be a real headache for many.<\/p>\n<p>From <strong>nationwide strikes<\/strong> in <strong>France<\/strong> and <strong>Italy<\/strong> to <strong>targeted airport walkouts<\/strong> in <strong>the Netherlands<\/strong> and <strong>Spain<\/strong>, travelers across Europe are about to face <strong>unprecedented disruptions<\/strong>. Not to mention, a brand-new <strong>border entry system<\/strong> launching just as the chaos hits. It\u2019s going to be a tough month for anyone crossing borders or trying to catch a flight.<\/p>\n<p>But don\u2019t worry \u2014 we\u2019ve got you covered with everything you need to know about these strikes and how to <strong>navigate<\/strong> them. Keep reading to find out which countries are hitting pause on their transport networks, how this will affect your travel plans, and what you can do to stay ahead of the madness.<\/p>\n<p>Greece: Life Pauses on October 1<img class=\"wp-image-1110571 br-lazy\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0naHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmcnIHZpZXdCb3g9JzAgMCA4NTAgNTY3Jz48L3N2Zz4=\" data-breeze=\"https:\/\/www.travelandtourworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Greece-9-850x567.jpeg\" title=\"Greece - travel and tour world\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"567\" alt=\"Europe, greece, france, italy, netherlands, spain,\" data-br data-br\/><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re heading to Greece at the start of October, circle <strong>October 1<\/strong> in red \u2014 because the country will basically stop moving that day. We\u2019re not talking about one group of workers walking out for a few hours. This is a full-blown, <strong>nationwide general strike<\/strong> where public sector unions, private sector unions, and even the seafarers\u2019 federation are all on the same page. That means ferries, trains, schools, hospitals, government offices \u2014 the whole system \u2014 will feel it.<\/p>\n<p>So what\u2019s got everyone so fired up? A new labor law. Buried inside it is a rule that would stretch shifts up to <strong>13 hours a day<\/strong>. Unions are calling it a throwback to the \u201cdark ages.\u201d On top of that, they want to bring back the <strong>extra month salaries<\/strong> workers lost during the austerity years, push through serious <strong>pay raises<\/strong> to keep up with inflation, and lock in a <strong>35-hour, five-day workweek<\/strong>. In short, they\u2019re not just angry, they\u2019re drawing a line in the sand.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s what that looks like in real life:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ferries<\/strong>: From midnight to midnight, every ferry in the country stays tied up. If you had plans to hop between Athens and the islands, it\u2019s not happening.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Athens transport<\/strong>: The metro, buses, trolleys \u2014 all disrupted. Even taxis will be thin on the ground.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hospitals<\/strong>: Emergency rooms stay open, but if you\u2019ve got an appointment or non-urgent surgery, expect it to be canceled.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Schools<\/strong>: Teachers are in on it too, so classrooms will be locked up.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Public services<\/strong>: Government offices won\u2019t be running.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Protests<\/strong>: Expect big marches, especially in Athens. They\u2019re usually noisy but peaceful \u2014 though Greece has a history of these rallies boiling over, so best to steer clear if you\u2019re a visitor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Bottom line? <strong>October 1 is going to be rough.<\/strong> Greece will feel like it\u2019s on pause, and if you\u2019re traveling, you\u2019ll need a Plan B. Move ferry trips to another day, avoid Athens city center, and don\u2019t count on \u201cjust winging it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Why this strike stings more in 2025<\/p>\n<p>What makes this walkout sting even harder is timing. Greece is in the middle of one of its <strong>busiest travel years ever<\/strong>. Airports and ports are packed, and the numbers prove it:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>By the end of <strong>August 2025<\/strong>, Greek airports had already handled about <strong>57 million passengers<\/strong>, nearly 5% more than last year.<\/li>\n<li>In just the first seven months, traffic across all 39 commercial airports topped <strong>44.7 million people<\/strong> \u2014 another nearly 5% bump.<\/li>\n<li>International arrivals alone hit <strong>10.3 million<\/strong> by June, up almost 6% from 2024.<\/li>\n<li>If you count all inbound travel (air + land), Greece pulled in around <strong>11.7 million visitors<\/strong> in the first half of the year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>So, the skies and seas are busier than ever \u2014 which means when the ferries dock and transport freezes, way more people are stranded than in years past. A day-long strike now ripples out to tens of millions of travelers and an economy that depends heavily on smooth tourism flows.<\/p>\n<p>France: Two Waves of Chaos in Early October<img class=\"wp-image-1110579 br-lazy\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0naHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmcnIHZpZXdCb3g9JzAgMCA4NTAgNTY3Jz48L3N2Zz4=\" data-breeze=\"https:\/\/www.travelandtourworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/France-12-850x567.jpeg\" title=\"France - travel and tour world\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"567\" alt=\"Europe, greece, france, italy, netherlands, spain,\" data-br data-br\/><\/p>\n<p>If you thought Greece stopping for a day was bad, France is about to double down. October is shaping up to be brutal here, with <strong>two separate nationwide strikes in the space of ten days<\/strong>. First comes a huge <strong>general strike on October 2<\/strong>, and just when things can\u2019t feel worse, the air traffic controllers plan to shut down French skies from <strong>October 7\u201310<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>October 2: The general strike that stops everything<\/p>\n<p>On Thursday, October 2, nearly every major union in France is teaming up for what they\u2019re calling a <strong>\u201cblack day\u201d<\/strong>. The coalition, known as the <strong>intersyndicale<\/strong>, includes all the big names \u2014 CFDT, CGT, FO, UNSA, and more. They\u2019ve been building momentum since September, when protests already drew up to a million people. This time, they\u2019re aiming squarely at the government\u2019s austerity-heavy budget plans for 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Their demands are clear: scrap the pension reform, cancel civil service job cuts, reverse unemployment insurance changes, and walk back anything that chips away at the French social model. For unions, this isn\u2019t just about pay or working hours \u2014 it\u2019s about blocking a political program they see as unfair.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how it will hit:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Trains<\/strong>: Expect massive cancellations across France. Unlike smaller strikes where most high-speed trains still ran, this one has all four main SNCF rail unions united. That means long-distance TGVs, regional TERs, and inter-city trains are all at risk.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Paris metro &amp; RER<\/strong>: Heavily disrupted. Most lines will barely run, except for the fully automated ones (Lines 1, 4, and 14). Suburban lines like the RER B, C, and D will be badly affected.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Schools<\/strong>: Many primary and secondary schools will shut down. Unions representing teachers have already voted overwhelmingly to strike.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hospitals<\/strong>: Emergency services will stay open, but routine appointments and non-urgent care will be pushed back.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Airports<\/strong>: While not an air traffic control strike, participation from public service workers could still cause delays.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Streets<\/strong>: A big protest march is planned in Paris, with road blockades possible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In short, France on October 2 will feel gridlocked \u2014 trains not running, schools closed, services frozen.<\/p>\n<p>October 7\u201310: The skies close<\/p>\n<p>Just five days later, the chaos shifts to the skies. The powerful <strong>SNCTA union<\/strong>, which represents most of France\u2019s air traffic controllers, is walking out from the morning of <strong>October 7 through October 10<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>This is a nightmare scenario for Europe, because about a third of all European flights pass through French airspace. Even if your plane isn\u2019t landing in Paris, chances are it flies over France \u2014 and during this strike, that means rerouting, delays, or outright cancellations.<\/p>\n<p>The SNCTA isn\u2019t striking over politics like the general strike. Their fight is about <strong>pay increases to match inflation<\/strong> and years of what they call \u201cbrutal management\u201d by France\u2019s aviation authority. Talks broke down, and now they\u2019re taking the most disruptive step possible.<\/p>\n<p>The fallout:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>French airports<\/strong>: Expect mass cancellations and long delays.<\/li>\n<li><strong>European airspace<\/strong>: Knock-on delays across the continent, even for flights that don\u2019t touch France.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Scale<\/strong>: Airlines estimate around <strong>1 million travelers<\/strong> will be hit. Ryanair alone has already warned of more than 700 cancellations.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Economic hit<\/strong>: Industry losses are pegged at over <strong>\u20ac120 million<\/strong> from this one strike.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Put simply: October 7\u201310 could be the worst European air disruption in years.<\/p>\n<p>Why this hurts more in 2025<\/p>\n<p>France is still one of Europe\u2019s busiest travel gateways, and while I couldn\u2019t find a perfect 2025 passenger number, the trends tell the story:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>French airports saw a <strong>3.6% rise in passenger traffic<\/strong> in the first half of 2025 compared to last year.<\/li>\n<li>Paris Charles de Gaulle alone handled <strong>70.3 million passengers in 2024<\/strong>, making it one of the world\u2019s busiest hubs \u2014 and 2025 traffic is running higher.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>So, shutting down French trains and skies in a year of rising demand means one thing: the ripple effect will be enormous, not just inside France but across Europe.<\/p>\n<p>Italy: A Month of Rolling Travel Chaos<img class=\"wp-image-1110581 br-lazy\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0naHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmcnIHZpZXdCb3g9JzAgMCA4NTAgNTY3Jz48L3N2Zz4=\" data-breeze=\"https:\/\/www.travelandtourworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Italy-8-850x567.jpeg\" title=\"Italy - travel and tour world\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"567\" alt=\"Europe, greece, france, italy, netherlands, spain,\" data-br data-br\/><\/p>\n<p>Italy is about to experience one of the most disruptive months of industrial action in years, and it all kicks off with two massive strikes on <strong>October 2<\/strong>. But that\u2019s just the beginning. Get ready for <strong>rolling disruptions<\/strong> throughout the month, as unions target everything from railways to airports and public transport. If you\u2019re planning to travel through Italy in October, this is definitely a situation where you\u2019ll want to pay attention and adjust your plans accordingly.<\/p>\n<p>October 2\u20133: Rail and General Strikes<\/p>\n<p>On <strong>October 2<\/strong>, Italy\u2019s rail network is going to grind to a halt. A <strong>24-hour nationwide rail strike<\/strong> will affect both regional and long-distance services, and if you had plans to get around by train, you\u2019re going to have to rethink things. It starts at 21:00 on <strong>October 2<\/strong> and goes through until 20:59 on <strong>October 3<\/strong>. While there are <strong>guaranteed services<\/strong> (a small number of trains will still run), the reality is that most will be canceled. Expect delays if you\u2019re traveling from city to city, especially for those long-haul rides.<\/p>\n<p>But the rail strike isn\u2019t alone. On <strong>October 3<\/strong>, there\u2019s a <strong>general strike<\/strong> that includes public and private sector workers. So, while the trains are already struggling, the rest of Italy\u2019s services won\u2019t be much better. Public services, schools, healthcare, and more will be affected, meaning there will be widespread closures and disruptions throughout the country.<\/p>\n<p>October 2\u20133: Here\u2019s what you can expect<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Trains<\/strong>: Major disruptions across the country\u2019s rail network. This includes <strong>high-speed<\/strong> (Frecciarossa), <strong>inter-city<\/strong>, and <strong>regional trains<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Public transport<\/strong>: Local transport in <strong>Rome<\/strong>, <strong>Milan<\/strong>, <strong>Florence<\/strong>, and <strong>other major cities<\/strong> could be hit hard, especially the metro and buses.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Schools<\/strong>: Widespread closures expected as teachers and public sector staff join the strike.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Public services<\/strong>: Government offices and some hospitals will be closed, and non-urgent appointments may be canceled.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Airports<\/strong>: While it\u2019s not a full aviation strike, disruptions in other public sectors (like air traffic controllers and ground staff) could cause delays or longer lines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Rolling Strikes: Airport and Local Transport Disruptions<\/p>\n<p>If you thought the chaos would stop after October 3, think again. The rest of the month brings a series of <strong>targeted strikes<\/strong> designed to keep up the pressure and cause maximum disruption to travel and transport. Here\u2019s how it looks:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>October 10<\/strong>: A public transport strike in <strong>Rome<\/strong> will affect bus and metro services. If you\u2019re relying on city transit, you\u2019re in for delays.<\/li>\n<li><strong>October 13<\/strong>: Airport workers at <strong>Rome Fiumicino<\/strong>, <strong>Pisa<\/strong>, and <strong>Florence<\/strong> airports will strike, causing significant delays. The Rome strike lasts 4 hours, while the others run for a full <strong>24 hours<\/strong>. Expect disruptions to check-in and boarding.<\/li>\n<li><strong>October 29<\/strong>: Another blow for travelers: <strong>Milan Linate<\/strong> airport will see a <strong>24-hour strike<\/strong> by ground handlers from <strong>Swissport<\/strong>, affecting check-in, baggage handling, and boarding processes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Why this matters for travel<\/p>\n<p>These strikes are <strong>nationwide<\/strong>, and the ripple effects will be massive. If you have plans to travel through Italy this month, don\u2019t count on smooth transport. Trains, buses, and even airports will be heavily impacted at multiple points in October. Keep your plans flexible, book travel with options to reschedule, and keep a close eye on the strike dates.<\/p>\n<p>Italy\u2019s Travel Boom in 2025<\/p>\n<p>To make this even more disruptive, Italy is in the midst of a <strong>massive surge in air traffic<\/strong>. Italy is currently <strong>leading<\/strong> airport passenger traffic growth in Europe, with <strong>5.7% growth<\/strong> in the first half of 2025. Here\u2019s a look at why this strike will be extra painful for travelers:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In <strong>early 2025<\/strong>, Italy experienced <strong>9% growth<\/strong> in international flights \u2014 a clear sign that more and more people are flocking to the country.<\/li>\n<li>Airports have already been packed: Italy\u2019s <strong>big airports<\/strong> have seen <strong>strong growth in international traffic<\/strong>, with <strong>Rome Fiumicino<\/strong> and <strong>Milan Malpensa<\/strong> as major hubs for incoming flights.<\/li>\n<li>With travelers flocking to Italy in record numbers this year, it\u2019s no surprise that these strikes will have a <strong>huge impact<\/strong> \u2014 we\u2019re talking about thousands of tourists and business travelers caught in the middle of these walkouts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Bottom Line<\/p>\n<p>Italy in October is a <strong>logistical nightmare<\/strong> for anyone trying to travel through, between cities, or out of the country. Between the <strong>rail shutdowns<\/strong>, <strong>airport strikes<\/strong>, and <strong>public transport disruptions<\/strong>, it\u2019s not going to be easy to get around. So, if you have plans to be in Italy, keep your schedule loose, double-check transport options, and plan for <strong>delays<\/strong> \u2014 and make sure you stay updated on which strikes will affect your route.<\/p>\n<p>Netherlands: Targeted Disruption at a Key European Hub<img class=\"wp-image-1110583 br-lazy\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0naHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmcnIHZpZXdCb3g9JzAgMCA4NTAgNTY3Jz48L3N2Zz4=\" data-breeze=\"https:\/\/www.travelandtourworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Netherlands-3-850x567.jpeg\" title=\"Netherlands - travel and tour world\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"567\" alt=\"Europe, greece, france, italy, netherlands, spain,\" data-br data-br\/><\/p>\n<p>The Netherlands may not be facing countrywide strikes like <strong>France<\/strong> or <strong>Italy<\/strong>, but <strong>Amsterdam Schiphol Airport<\/strong> is about to feel the sting of a targeted strike that could send ripples across Europe\u2019s busiest air routes. On <strong>October 1<\/strong>, <strong>KLM ground staff<\/strong> \u2014 including baggage handlers, check-in personnel, and ramp workers \u2014 will walk out for <strong>eight hours<\/strong>, starting from <strong>06:00 to 14:00<\/strong> local time.<\/p>\n<p>The big question: What does this mean for travelers? Here\u2019s the lowdown.<\/p>\n<p>Why are they striking?<\/p>\n<p>The issue is simple: <strong>pay<\/strong>. The unions, including the <strong>FNV<\/strong> (Netherlands Trade Union Confederation) and <strong>CNV<\/strong> (Christian National Trade Union Federation), are fighting for better wages and working conditions. Specifically, they\u2019ve rejected KLM\u2019s <strong>2.25% pay increase offer<\/strong> over two years, arguing that it doesn\u2019t even come close to matching the rising cost of living. With inflation still climbing and staff feeling the pinch, the strike is a last resort after talks broke down.<\/p>\n<p>What will be disrupted?<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Flight operations<\/strong>: While KLM isn\u2019t grounding all flights, expect <strong>major disruptions<\/strong>. Flights will be delayed, and cancellations are highly probable, especially during peak hours in the morning and early afternoon. If you\u2019re flying on <strong>October 1<\/strong>, you\u2019ll want to check your flight status <strong>before heading to the airport<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Baggage handling<\/strong>: Expect <strong>longer waits at baggage claim<\/strong>. If you\u2019re traveling with KLM, <strong>baggage delays<\/strong> could be an issue, as ground staff are key to getting luggage on and off planes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Check-in and boarding<\/strong>: With ground staff out, expect a <strong>bottleneck at check-in counters<\/strong>. Lines will be longer, and the process might take longer than usual.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Other airlines<\/strong>: While this is a <strong>KLM-specific<\/strong> strike, other airlines operating out of Schiphol could feel the effects as well. If you\u2019re flying with <strong>partner airlines<\/strong> or other carriers using the same terminals, expect some delays, though the disruption will primarily hit KLM flights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Why does this matter for travel?<\/p>\n<p>Amsterdam Schiphol is one of <strong>Europe\u2019s busiest airports<\/strong>, handling around <strong>66.8 million passengers<\/strong> in <strong>2024<\/strong>. The airport is a major hub for international connections, and any disruption here doesn\u2019t just affect passengers flying into or out of the Netherlands \u2014 it causes ripple effects throughout Europe. The <strong>morning and early afternoon<\/strong> hours, in particular, will be hit hard, as that\u2019s when the busiest flights land and depart.<\/p>\n<p>This isn\u2019t a one-off disruption either. It\u2019s <strong>only 8 hours<\/strong>, but in a hub like Schiphol, that can be enough to create a <strong>snowball effect<\/strong> for the entire day. With <strong>hundreds of flights<\/strong> relying on smooth ground operations, delays or cancellations at this airport will almost certainly have <strong>a knock-on effect<\/strong> across the continent.<\/p>\n<p>The Netherlands\u2019 Busy Travel Landscape in 2025<\/p>\n<p>Although this strike is just a <strong>short, 8-hour window<\/strong>, its timing is particularly bad for travelers. <strong>Schiphol<\/strong> sees traffic numbers that are steadily growing each year, with <strong>2024<\/strong> seeing an <strong>8% growth<\/strong> over the previous year, handling <strong>66.8 million passengers<\/strong>. Here\u2019s why the timing of this strike is so disruptive:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Schiphol Airport<\/strong> has seen solid traffic growth, with millions of passengers coming in and out of the Netherlands every month.<\/li>\n<li>Given that Schiphol is a <strong>primary hub<\/strong> for international flights, delays or cancellations here don\u2019t just hurt KLM passengers. Other European and intercontinental airlines using Schiphol as a stopover or departure point are bound to feel the effects.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>What\u2019s more, the <strong>Netherlands<\/strong> remains an important travel hub for anyone heading to or from <strong>Europe<\/strong>, with its central location and well-connected air routes to major destinations. A strike at <strong>Schiphol<\/strong> ripples out far beyond the airport\u2019s immediate vicinity, affecting not just the Dutch domestic market but also international travelers.<\/p>\n<p>How to Handle the Disruption<\/p>\n<p>If your travel plans bring you through Amsterdam on <strong>October 1<\/strong>, here\u2019s what you need to do:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Check your flight status<\/strong>: KLM flights will be the most affected, so make sure to keep an eye on <strong>flight delays or cancellations<\/strong> via the KLM website or app.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Be flexible with your travel time<\/strong>: If possible, try to <strong>reschedule your flight<\/strong> to avoid the strike window (06:00\u201314:00).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Allow extra time at the airport<\/strong>: With <strong>delays in check-in<\/strong>, <strong>boarding<\/strong>, and <strong>baggage handling<\/strong>, you\u2019ll want to give yourself <strong>extra time at Schiphol<\/strong>, especially if you\u2019re connecting to another flight.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Look for alternate airports<\/strong>: Depending on your destination, consider flying into another nearby airport, like <strong>Eindhoven<\/strong> or <strong>Rotterdam<\/strong>, if possible. They\u2019re smaller and less likely to be hit by disruptions, though they\u2019ll still see some impact from the broader travel chaos.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Bottom Line<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>October 1 strike<\/strong> in the <strong>Netherlands<\/strong> isn\u2019t a countrywide shutdown like in France or Italy, but it will still cause major headaches for anyone traveling through <strong>Schiphol Airport<\/strong>. With <strong>KLM at the center of the strike<\/strong>, expect <strong>flight delays<\/strong>, <strong>cancellations<\/strong>, and <strong>baggage delays<\/strong>. Schiphol handles millions of travelers every year, and a disruption like this will ripple out across Europe\u2019s air traffic.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve got flights through Amsterdam that day, check your schedule, stay updated with your airline, and prepare for potential delays. Flexibility is key.<\/p>\n<p>Spain: Sustained Disruption for Travelers in October<img class=\"wp-image-1110584 br-lazy\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0naHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmcnIHZpZXdCb3g9JzAgMCA4NTAgNTY3Jz48L3N2Zz4=\" data-breeze=\"https:\/\/www.travelandtourworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Italy-9-850x567.jpeg\" title=\"Italy - travel and tour world\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"850\" height=\"567\" alt=\"Europe, greece, france, italy, netherlands, spain,\" data-br data-br\/><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re flying in or out of <strong>Spain<\/strong> this October, prepare for a month-long saga of <strong>partial strikes<\/strong> that are likely to cause ongoing headaches for anyone traveling with <strong>Ryanair<\/strong>. Unlike the one-off, large-scale strikes we\u2019ve seen in France and Italy, Spain\u2019s industrial action is more of a <strong>sustained campaign<\/strong>, with recurring strikes every <strong>Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday<\/strong> throughout the month. This means a constant stream of disruption, mainly aimed at <strong>Ryanair<\/strong>\u2019s ground handling services across <strong>12 major airports<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The Ryanair Baggage Handler Strikes<\/p>\n<p>These strikes are being organized by the <strong>FeSMC-UGT union<\/strong>, which represents baggage handlers and ground staff working for <strong>Azul Handling<\/strong>, a subsidiary of Ryanair. The key issue here is workers\u2019 <strong>grievances over working conditions<\/strong>, including pay, long hours, and poor treatment. In particular, staff are pushing for fairer scheduling, better job security, and better working conditions for part-time employees.<\/p>\n<p>What will be disrupted?<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Airports affected<\/strong>: Major Spanish airports like <strong>Madrid<\/strong>, <strong>Barcelona<\/strong>, <strong>Ibiza<\/strong>, <strong>Malaga<\/strong>, <strong>Seville<\/strong>, <strong>Tenerife<\/strong>, and <strong>Valencia<\/strong> will all experience disruptions. These are not just minor regional airports; these are major hubs for international and domestic travel, and they serve millions of passengers each month.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ryanair operations<\/strong>: The primary target of these strikes is <strong>Ryanair<\/strong>. Expect significant delays and cancellations, particularly during the peak hours in the morning (from <strong>05:00 to 09:00<\/strong>). This will affect both <strong>baggage handling<\/strong> and <strong>boarding processes<\/strong>, meaning passengers will likely face long waits at check-in counters, delays in getting luggage, and more time spent navigating crowded terminals.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Duration of disruption<\/strong>: These partial strikes will happen repeatedly throughout the month, so travelers who are flying <strong>on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays<\/strong> can expect these disruptions to continue for the foreseeable future.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Impact for Travelers<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Flights<\/strong>: If you\u2019re traveling with <strong>Ryanair<\/strong>, <strong>expect delays<\/strong>. Frequent partial strikes, especially during peak travel times, mean that every Wednesday through Sunday will likely bring the risk of cancellations or long delays for <strong>Ryanair\u2019s passengers<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Baggage Handling<\/strong>: The strikes will mainly affect <strong>check-in, baggage, and boarding<\/strong> services, which means those who are traveling through Spain could face bottlenecks at check-in counters and wait times to collect luggage. If you\u2019re planning on connecting to another flight, these delays can have a cascading effect, causing tighter layover windows to shrink even further.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This ongoing disruption is likely to <strong>frustrate<\/strong> travelers throughout the entire month of October, and with no quick resolution in sight, it\u2019s best to expect the worst when flying with Ryanair in Spain.<\/p>\n<p>Spain\u2019s Growing Passenger Traffic: More Disruption Ahead<\/p>\n<p>What makes this even worse for travelers is the fact that <strong>Spain\u2019s airports<\/strong> are <strong>bustling more than ever<\/strong>. The latest numbers show that <strong>Spain\u2019s airports<\/strong> saw a <strong>4.5% increase in passenger traffic<\/strong> in the first half of 2025, making it one of the top countries in Europe for air travel growth. Here\u2019s why this strike comes at a terrible time for travelers:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Summer 2025 forecasts<\/strong>: Spain saw an expected <strong>2.7% rise<\/strong> in international tourist arrivals for the summer of 2025 compared to 2024, which means more people are coming through the airports just when these disruptions are hitting.<\/li>\n<li>By <strong>August 2025<\/strong>, Spain\u2019s international arrivals hit <strong>75.4 million<\/strong> passengers \u2014 up <strong>5.9%<\/strong> over last year, reflecting Spain\u2019s major role as a <strong>tourist hotspot<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These numbers aren\u2019t just statistics. With so many more people traveling to Spain this year, the <strong>ongoing strike<\/strong> will hit not just <strong>Ryanair passengers<\/strong>, but anyone passing through <strong>Spain\u2019s busy airports<\/strong>. Whether it\u2019s long delays or missed connections, <strong>travelers in Spain will have a much harder time<\/strong> moving smoothly in and out of the country this month.<\/p>\n<p>What This Means for Your October Travel Plans<\/p>\n<p>For anyone planning to fly through Spain this month, be ready for ongoing disruption. The <strong>Ryanair baggage handler strikes<\/strong> will target airports in Spain on a regular basis, meaning you could face delays, longer waits, and the kind of travel stress that makes you wish you could have avoided this month altogether.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Plan your flight times carefully<\/strong>: If you\u2019re flying out on a <strong>Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday<\/strong>, you\u2019re running a higher risk of disruptions. Try to pick flights earlier in the day, when you may have a better shot at avoiding the peak of strike-related chaos.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Check for cancellations<\/strong>: Stay updated with <strong>Ryanair\u2019s schedule<\/strong> and be prepared for last-minute changes. Make sure to set up alerts so you\u2019re not left scrambling at the last minute.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Allow extra time<\/strong>: If you\u2019re connecting through a Spanish airport, give yourself plenty of time between flights. The combination of delays and heavy traffic can leave you with little room for error.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In short, <strong>October is going to be a tough month for anyone traveling through Spain<\/strong>. With Ryanair at the center of the storm, if you\u2019re flying with them, prepare for an unpredictable and stressful experience.<\/p>\n<p>The Bottom Line<\/p>\n<p>Spain\u2019s travel disruptions in October are <strong>predictable<\/strong>, but no less frustrating. With <strong>repeated strike days<\/strong>, <strong>packed airports<\/strong>, and an already <strong>booming tourism market<\/strong>, there\u2019s no doubt that travelers will face significant issues this month. Whether you\u2019re flying into Madrid, Barcelona, or any of the major hubs, there\u2019s a high chance that your experience will be marred by delays or cancellations.<\/p>\n<p>Make sure you\u2019re prepared, keep a flexible schedule, and double-check your flight status regularly. With these strikes continuing throughout the month, <strong>Ryanair passengers<\/strong> are the most likely to be affected, but other airlines could see some delays as well due to congestion.<\/p>\n<p>Europe\u2019s New Entry\/Exit System (EES): What You Need to Know<\/p>\n<p>Just when you thought the travel chaos from strikes was enough, <strong>Europe<\/strong> is about to make a major shift in how they process <strong>non-EU travelers<\/strong>. Starting <strong>October 12, 2025<\/strong>, the <strong>European Entry\/Exit System (EES)<\/strong> will go live \u2014 and it\u2019s going to change everything about how you enter the Schengen Area.<\/p>\n<p>Now, this system\u2019s all about making borders smoother and safer in the long run, but here\u2019s the thing \u2014 <strong>it might cause delays at first<\/strong>. You\u2019re gonna want to <strong>arrive earlier than usual<\/strong>, especially at the busiest airports or train stations. It\u2019s new, so there\u2019ll be some growing pains, and you might find yourself stuck in longer lines.<\/p>\n<p>Europe\u2019s Tourism Boom in 2025<\/p>\n<p>Now, despite the strikes and all the new systems being rolled out, <strong>Europe\u2019s tourism is bouncing back strong in 2025<\/strong>. People are still flocking to Europe, and the numbers are telling the story:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>First half of 2025<\/strong>: <strong>340 million international tourists<\/strong> \u2014 that\u2019s a <strong>4% increase<\/strong> from last year and <strong>7% more<\/strong> than in 2019.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Q1 2025<\/strong>: International arrivals jumped by <strong>4.9%<\/strong>, and people are sticking around a little longer \u2014 <strong>2.2% more overnight stays<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Q2 2025<\/strong>: Tourism slowed down a bit (by <strong>0.7%<\/strong> for nights stayed) due to things like <strong>Easter<\/strong> timing, but it still grew by <strong>3.3%<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Across the whole EU, there were <strong>1.279 billion overnight stays<\/strong> \u2014 up <strong>2.3%<\/strong> compared to 2024.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>So, yeah, it\u2019s clear people are <strong>really traveling to Europe<\/strong> despite everything going on.<\/p>\n<p>Notable Country Highlights<\/p>\n<p>Some countries are <strong>shining brighter<\/strong> in the tourism boom, and here\u2019s where things are really popping:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Malta<\/strong>: It saw a <strong>13% jump<\/strong> in overnight stays.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Latvia<\/strong>: Had a <strong>12.8% increase<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Finland<\/strong>: Notched a <strong>12.3% rise<\/strong> in foreign stays.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Romania<\/strong>: Crushed it with <strong>14 million arrivals<\/strong> in 2024 \u2014 up by <strong>4.5%<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Croatia<\/strong>: It\u2019s set to have a <strong>record-breaking tourism year<\/strong> in 2025 after being named Europe\u2019s <strong>top travel destination<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Tourism Revenue Projections<\/p>\n<p>On top of all this growth, Europe\u2019s tourism market is about to <strong>rake in $305.96 billion<\/strong> in 2025. <strong>Package holidays<\/strong> are expected to be the big winner in that, so expect travel companies to keep offering up those sweet deals.<\/p>\n<p>So yeah, despite the travel headaches, <strong>Europe is still thriving<\/strong>. The strikes are a pain, but if you\u2019re planning to visit, know that <strong>tourism is bouncing back<\/strong> strong, and things are only getting busier. If you\u2019re heading over soon, just be ready for a bit of a <strong>bumpy ride<\/strong> at borders and airports, but rest assured, Europe\u2019s still the place to be!<\/p>\n<p>Europe\u2019s travel is set to freeze this October as <strong>Greece<\/strong> faces nationwide strikes, including transport and tourism shutdowns, followed by major disruptions in <strong>France<\/strong>, <strong>Italy<\/strong>, <strong>the Netherlands<\/strong>, and <strong>Spain<\/strong>, all paralyzing travel across the continent during peak season.<\/p>\n<p>As October unfolds, travelers across <strong>Europe<\/strong> should brace for a wave of <strong>disruptions<\/strong> caused by widespread <strong>strikes<\/strong> in <strong>Greece<\/strong>, <strong>France<\/strong>, <strong>Italy<\/strong>, <strong>the Netherlands<\/strong>, and <strong>Spain<\/strong>. With transport systems grinding to a halt, airports struggling with delays, and border controls changing with the <strong>new Entry\/Exit System<\/strong>, travel during peak season will be more challenging than ever.<\/p>\n<p>While Europe\u2019s tourism industry is experiencing a <strong>strong recovery<\/strong>, these strikes highlight the tension between worker demands and the ongoing economic challenges faced by governments. Whether you\u2019re heading to the iconic streets of Paris, the beaches of Spain, or the ancient sites of Greece, it\u2019s essential to stay informed and flexible with your plans.<\/p>\n<p>Keep updated on strike schedules, book flexible tickets, and allow extra time for connections \u2014 this October, patience will be key as Europe navigates a historic travel freeze.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"gofollow\" data-track=\"NzMsNiwxLDYw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.travelandtourworld.com\/ttwapp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"br-lazy\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0naHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmcnIHZpZXdCb3g9JzAgMCAwIDAnPjwvc3ZnPg==\" data-breeze=\"https:\/\/www.travelandtourworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/leaderboard-app-design24.jpg\" style=\"max-width: 728px; height: auto\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Home \u00bb European Travel News \u00bb Europe Travel Set to Freeze as Greece Joins France, Italy, Netherlands, and&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":454070,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5309],"tags":[2000,299,44046,36,42546,1450,43123,118998,45969,104,42549,152473,1559],"class_list":{"0":"post-454069","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-france","8":"tag-eu","9":"tag-europe","10":"tag-european-travel-news","11":"tag-france","12":"tag-france-travel-news","13":"tag-greece","14":"tag-italy-travel-news","15":"tag-latest-travel-news","16":"tag-netherlands-travel-news","17":"tag-spain","18":"tag-spain-travel-news","19":"tag-strike-in-europe","20":"tag-travel-news"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115273500123695750","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/454069","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=454069"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/454069\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/454070"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=454069"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=454069"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=454069"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}