Travel Disruptions in Europe: The Summer Chaos of 2022

At the onset of summer travel, cancellations, delays, and long lines have plagued airports in Europe. In Dublin, London, Amsterdam, Lisbon, and Madrid, thousands of passengers have missed flights in recent weeks due to long queues at security and check-in desks, with some passengers in line for hours just to get inside the terminal buildings. With strike action scheduled for the summer across the European aviation industry, it’s unlikely the situation will improve anytime soon.

While some airports have introduced new queue management systems to deal with the issue, passengers continue to face significant disruptions due to staff shortages and increased demand now that most COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. In Lisbon, the union chief for Portugal’s border and immigration service SEF, told Reuters that the long lines are unlikely to ease into the main tourist season, even though the airport plans to double border control staff.

Why are Airline Passengers in Europe Facing Disruptions?

Staff Shortages

Security agents, baggage personnel, cleaning, catering, and ground staff were all laid off during the pandemic when flights were grounded and travel came to a halt. Now, airports and airlines are struggling to find more workers as travel rebounds. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects total passenger numbers in Europe to reach 86% of 2019 figures in 2022, with full recovery anticipated in 2024. However, many companies were not prepared for travel to return so quickly and are now scrambling to recruit and train new hires.

“Demand has been coming back much faster than the ability of the industry to scale up,” John Holland-Kaye, chief executive of London’s Heathrow Airport, told the Financial Times last week. Holland-Kaye warned that the challenges facing Heathrow in particular could last for 18 months. “With no revenues and very high fixed costs, building that capacity back again is very hard.”

Madrid’s Barajas Airport has gone on a hiring spree to recruit new staff after Spanish airline Iberia reported that 15,000 passengers have missed their flights since March due to long lines at the airport. However, hiring is just the beginning. The positions that need filling are highly regulated and require specialist training that could take months to complete. There are also reports that new contracts being offered to airport staff across the industry are below par. For example, new security staff in Dublin Airport are only guaranteed 30 hours per week but are expected to be available for 40 hours with an entrance rate of pay of €14.40 ($15.15) per hour.

Speaking to iBestTravel, SIPTU – the union that represents Dublin Airport staff – suggested that the hourly rate of pay may deter new hires. “The €14.40 is a composite rate of pay which includes shift pay (20%). The hourly rate of pay is only €11.31 when adjusted for the shift premium, which is only 8% above the national minimum wage of €10.50,” SIPTU Aviation Organiser, Niall Phillips, explained.

“For the highly regulated and specialized work that an ASU officer does, the hourly rate of pay is not sufficient to attract workers into the role and is not appearing to be enough to retain new recruits in the positions. There are currently approximately 200 new recruits in security with plans to significantly increase these numbers over the coming months,” he added.

The IATA indicated that the most pressing issue now is clearing the queues for security clearances as summer travel commences. They urge the ground handling sector worldwide to adopt a stronger talent acquisition strategy, streamline onboarding processes, and develop a more compelling retention proposition.

“Additional resources are needed to accelerate the processing times for employment security clearances, which can take as much as six months in some markets. The shortages we are experiencing today are a symptom of the longer-term challenges to achieve a stable talent base in ground handling,” said Nick Careen, IATA’s senior vice president for operations, safety, and security.

Summer of Strikes

Italy is one of the few European countries to escape the long lines that have faced passengers flying elsewhere in Europe, but it hasn’t escaped disruption. Flights were delayed or cancelled on June 8 due to transport strikes from staff working for low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, EasyJet, and Volotea over pay and working conditions. Unions representing staff for Ryanair in Italy have called for a 24-hour strike on June 25, and more strikes are likely to occur across the summer.

Similarly, Portugal’s union of civil aviation personnel SNPVAC announced Ryanair’s Portuguese cabin staff will go on strike for three days in late June.

French airports are also set to be affected by strike action in July as workers seek salary increases to cope with the cost of living crisis. Last week, a quarter of flights departing from Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly were cancelled due to strikes.

Scandinavian airline SAS could go on strike at the end of June, with over 1,000 pilots in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden set to walk out on June 29, according to The Local Denmark.

Tips for Airline Passengers

In light of the recent chaos, some airports have issued advice for passengers, including arriving early, preparing your liquids and laptops for security checks beforehand, and ensuring passports are up-to-date. While officials need to work on long-term solutions, here are additional steps to help smooth your travel experience if you are flying from a European airport:

Download Your Airport and Airline Apps

This can be invaluable. Many airports share security screening wait times through their apps, allowing you to see live wait times ahead of reaching the airport, enabling better arrival planning.

Moreover, your airline’s app can help you anticipate any disruptions or cancellations. By downloading the mobile app, you usually receive immediate alerts, and some airlines provide re-booking options and notifications regarding delays.

Take a Screenshot of Your Boarding Pass

A screenshot of your boarding pass allows for easy access as you arrive at the airport. Alternatively, save it on your Apple Wallet or PassWallet for Android. Having a scannable, offline version of your boarding pass can save you from scrambling when airport WiFi is unreliable.

Bring a Portable Phone Charger

If your boarding pass is stored on your phone, ensure you have a portable battery charger packed in your hand luggage to avoid a dead battery when you reach your gate.

Drop Your Bags Off Early

Some airlines allow customers to check their bags in a day before departure. Check if this service is available to ease pressure at check-in desks when you fly.

Purchase Fast Passes or Priority Boarding If Possible

Some airports offer fast-pass access for an additional fee, potentially speeding up your security process. Nevertheless, this option may not always be available, especially with rising demand. It’s prudent to ask your airline about advance check-ins or priority boarding access.

Pack Snacks

With longer waiting times, many shops, cafes, and restaurants are running low on food and drink options. Passengers traveling through European airports have reported shortages of pre-packaged sandwiches and meals in the early afternoon. It’s advised to bring snacks that easily pass security screening; any drinks above 100ml will need to be purchased on the other side.

Understand Your Compensation Rights If You Miss Your Flight

In circumstances where numerous passengers missed flights due to mismanaged queues, the Dublin Airport Authority indicated that many airline partners may allow passengers to amend their bookings to the next available flight without additional charges. Those encountering extra costs were directed to the airport’s customer support for potential reimbursement of documented expenses.

This is not a guarantee with every airline or airport, so familiarize yourself with the available options before you travel. Moreover, securing a travel insurance policy that covers missed, delayed, or cancelled flights is a wise precaution.

This article was initially published on May 30, 2022, and was updated on June 16, 2022.