Border Force, ferry, airline and airport strikes in August and September 2025

An important step in planning for an upcoming holiday is checking whether your trip could be affected by strikes, walkouts or other industrial action.

Last year, many travellers saw their plans disrupted by strikes — including Border Force walkouts, airline and air traffic control disputes, and industrial action at ports in the UK and abroad.

To help you avoid disruption for holidays this year, 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 on what to do and your rights if your journey is delayed or cancelled.

Get free travel advice and recommendations you can trust from the experts with our monthly travel newsletter.

UK airport strikes

Gatwick airport strikes

Baggage screeners are set to strike over pay twice this summer. First from August 22 to 26 - which could affect the millions who fly over the bank holiday weekend - and then from August 29 to September 2, at the close of the school summer holidays.

All flights are likely to face some disruption according to the Unite union and said that if the dispute isn't resolved, then action will 'intensify'.

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Heathrow airport strikes

In early April, around 500 workers who assist passengers with restricted mobility at Heathrow Airport participated in strike action in a dispute over pay. Unite said that further strikes could follow but they have yet to be confirmed.

Other UK airport strikes

There are currently none planned.

Airport strikes in Europe

Airport strikes in Spain

Azul Handling baggage handlers are set to strike over labour rights on August 15, 16, and 17 and then every Wednesday, Friday Saturday and Sunday throughout 2025. The strikes are across three time periods each day - 5am to 9am, 12pm to 3pm and 9pm to 11:59pm. It's part of the Ryanair group and handles the baggage for most of the airline's flights. The airports affected are:

• Alicante
• Barcelona
• Girona
• Ibiza
• Lanzarote
• Madrid
• Malaga
• Palma de Mallorca
• Santiago de Compostela
• Seville
• Tenerife South
• Valencia

There could be disruption, so check for updates before flying in case you need to get to the airport early.  However, Ryanair told us: 'These threatened strikes were called by the small UGT union, who represent less than 20% of our Spanish handlers’ staff & our Spanish handling agents expect no disruptions or delays to our flights.

'In Spain, strikes in summer tend to have little impact under current Spanish minimum service legislation which protects Spain’s key tourism sector from strikes in July, Aug & Sept.'

Additionally, Menzies Aviation Ibérica, which is responsible for ground services for several airlines across Spain, is going on strike over labour agreements. Walkouts are planned for August 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31. Passengers flying with easyJet, Emirates, Norwegian, British Airways, Wizz Air and American Airlines should expect potential disruption at the following airports:

• Barcelona
• Malaga
• Alicante
• Palma de Mallorca
• Tenerife South

Airport strikes in Portugal

SPdH/ Menzies ground staff are striking every weekend (Friday to Monday) until the end of August. This includes staff who work at check-in desks, baggage handling and aircraft servicing. This could cause delays at the following airports and locations:

• Faro
• Lisbon
• Madeira
• Porto Santo
• The Azores

See the best and worst-rated UK airports in our survey results.

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

First, check the websites for your airline and airport to see if your flight is delayed – often, the latter is updated more quickly. 

Strikes by security staff can mean long queues that cause you to miss your plane. If you're 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 it you won’t get through security in time. Some, such as British Airways, should 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 that you may miss your flight, call your airline before departure to see if you can move to a later flight for free. Unlike with 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're covered under the Denied Boarding Regulation, provided you're 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're 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 flight delay and compensation tool to see what you’re owed.

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're entitled to a refund or rerouting but not compensation. 

It's possible that later this year that rights to flight compensation in Europe will change, making it harder to claim compensation for short-haul flights.

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's 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.

Although UK Border Force workers who patrol the channel for small boats have voted to strike in a dispute over allowances, specific strike dates are not yet scheduled and it's unlikely that travel will be disrupted.

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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.