**Major Travel Disruption Looms for UK Holidaymakers Amidst Wednesday Airport Strikes**
Passengers planning to travel with easyJet, British Airways (BA), TUI, and Wizz Air this Wednesday are being warned of significant delays and cancellations as a double wave of strike action is set to affect major European airports. Particularly, those flying between the UK and Italy are being urged to brace themselves for a turbulent day of travel on 28 May, with walkouts by both airline crew and airport ground staff.
EasyJet’s cabin crew, represented by the European trade union USB Lavoro Privato, are scheduled to take industrial action across Italy. This latest strike, running from 1pm to 5pm Central European Time (12pm to 4pm UK time), marks the fourth instance of such action by easyJet staff this year, following previous walkouts in February, March, and April. The ongoing disputes between staff and airline management suggest underlying tensions which could continue to disrupt flight schedules in the coming months.
Compounding the issue, the planned strike by Swissport, a major ground handling company, is expected to affect a swathe of airlines including not only easyJet but also BA, TUI, and Wizz Air. Swissport provides a range of essential ground services, and its employees are also set to strike on Wednesday during the same timeframe as the easyJet action. This concurrent industrial action threatens to amplify the scale of disruption faced by passengers.
Travel experts have noted that the focus of the Swissport walkout will be on key Italian airports, primarily Milan’s Malpensa and Linate airports. These locations act as pivotal travel hubs for UK-bound flights, meaning that delays or cancellations could have far-reaching consequences for connecting journeys and onward travel plans throughout Europe.
Anton Radchenko, Chief Executive of AirAdvisor, a specialist in air passenger rights, has described the situation as a “perfect storm of disruption”. He warned: “With both easyJet staff strikes and simultaneous action by one of their major airport partners, passengers could face significant disruption to flight schedules on 28 May.” Radchenko suggested that four waves of walkouts in as many months point to a deepening rift within the airline’s workforce, indicating this may not be the last time passengers face upheaval in 2025.
For those caught up in Wednesday’s disruption, there are safeguards in place. Under European air passenger regulations, travellers affected by easyJet’s own crew strikes could be entitled to compensation of up to £520 if their flights are delayed by more than three hours or cancelled altogether. Since the walkout by airline staff is generally considered within the company’s ability to prevent through negotiations, compensation claims are valid for many impacted by crew shortages and stoppages.
Should a flight be postponed to the following day due to the strike action, easyJet is responsible for providing overnight accommodation for affected passengers, in addition to arranging alternative travel where possible. Travellers are reminded to keep all communication from airlines, including emails and SMS notifications, as this may be critical evidence if they need to make compensation claims.
However, delays caused by the Swissport strike may not always be covered by the same compensation rules, especially if the ground handlers are deemed a third party. Still, experts recommend seeking advice and checking eligibility for claims, as different circumstances may still entitle passengers to redress.
Whilst Wednesday is flagged as the main day of disruption, there is potential for knock-on effects in the immediate days after the strike, particularly if processing backlogs or rescheduled flights take some time to clear.
As the summer holiday period approaches, these rolling disputes underline the importance of checking flight status before heading to the airport and maintaining flexible travel plans where possible. With tensions remaining high in the aviation sector across Europe, travellers are urged to stay informed and to review their rights on receiving assistance in the event of cancellation or long delays.
Passengers are advised to use official airline channels and reputable compensation calculators to see what, if anything, they are owed, and to keep an eye on further announcements, as more walkouts cannot be ruled out in the coming weeks. The aviation industry continues to urge negotiators to find a swift solution, amid rising concern that continued industrial action may dampen summer travel for thousands.