Latest news with #AntonRadchenko
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Portugal travel warning as summer strikes to hit six airports
The strikes held by SPdH/Menzies ground staff are affecting Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira, Porto Santo, and the Azores, with disruptions scheduled every weekend in August More travel chaos is on the horizon as airport workers in Portugal go on strike. Every weekend until the end of August, SPdH/Menzies ground staff who handle bags at Portugal's main airports will walk out. Backed by the SIMA union, they're protesting low wages, unpaid night shifts, and a broken pay agreement after Menzies Aviation's takeover. These strikes are affecting Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira, Porto Santo, and the Azores, with disruptions scheduled every weekend in August: August 8–11, August 15–18, August 22–25, and August 29–September 1. The Portugal strikes come as a union in Spain announced its Ryanair workers would strike at 12 airports in the coming weeks. Have you been impacted by the Portugal or Spain strikes? Email webtravel@ Holidaymaker 'horrifically burned as Shein top reacts with suncream' The impact is expected to hit major UK airports too — including London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh — with Ryanair, easyJet, and BA set to reduce capacity. Up to 60 UK flights a week could be affected, disrupting travel plans for more than 10,000 people. Although the strike is operated by ground staff, its impact is widespread. Airlines like easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways, Wizz Air, and regional carriers will operate at reduced capacity, meaning 50–60 UK flights will be impacted, affecting 9,000–10,800 Brits per week. Key UK airports impacted include London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Liverpool. Aviation experts at AirAdvisor have noted that passengers can claim up to £1,600 in compensation if their bags are lost during the flight. The company has launched a one-of-a-kind online tool available for free that allows travellers to instantly check whether compensation is possible in the case of lost, delayed, or damaged baggage, based on their flight, airline, and route. Passengers can request reimbursement for essential purchases (clothing, hygiene products, medication) made while waiting for their bags. In some cases, they may also be eligible for a fixed compensation of up to £1,600. This compensation applies when luggage is officially declared lost (after 21 days with no update), returned in unusable or severely damaged condition, or if the delay caused a real, documented financial loss, for example, during a business trip or a significant event. Founder of AirAdvisor, Anton Radchenko, said: 'Many travellers don't realise that, in the case of lost or delayed baggage, airlines are still responsible, even during a strike. This is clearly established by the Montreal Convention: unless the airline can prove it took all reasonable measures to prevent the damage, it is liable for compensation. "Our tool lets you know within seconds whether you can claim compensation for lost, delayed, or damaged luggage. To date, no other service offers anything this simple in Spain. The goal is to empower passengers. Too often, they give up in the face of airline bureaucracy. This simplifies everything. "Since the end of July, the situation at Portuguese airports has been extremely chaotic. Baggage handling systems are paralysed, suitcases are piling up in the terminals, and many passengers, especially Brits, are arriving at their destination without their personal belongings.
Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Huge boost for Brits as five-months of airport strikes come to an end
After the Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) held strikes on May 2, 5, 16, 19, 30, June 2, 4 and 11, more industrial action has been called off after an agreement was reached After close to five months of disruption, the Finnish aviation strikes have officially ended. The breakthrough came on July 13, when the Finnish Aviation Union and Service Sector Employers Palta approved a new labour agreement, immediately cancelling all planned strikes for July 16, 18, 21, 23, and 25. This is a big breakthrough and one that has a serious impact on UK passengers. In the past few months, these strikes have disrupted more than 1,200 flights, affecting more than 155,000 passengers, including thousands of Brits. The end to Finland's disruptive industrial action marks one of the most significant developments for Europe's summer travel season, offering huge relief to both holidaymakers and the travel industry. "After prolonged negotiations, it's good that we were able to reach a mutually acceptable deal," said Palta's director of labour market affairs Minna Ääri. However, she expressed disappointment that the agreement didn't include broader development of working conditions alongside the wage settlement. In the past four months, no other country in Europe has had as many strikes as Finland: more than 15 (a record for any country), making this latest agreement a game changer for Europe and UK holidaymakers alike. Negotiations had dragged on for over six months, during which Finnair cancelled more than 1,200 flights due to IAU strike action. Palta estimates the cancellations affected around 100,000 passengers. Anton Radchenko, founder of AirAdvisor, said: 'The end of Finland's aviation strikes is not just a labour deal, but it's a strategic reset for European summer travel. Over the past few months, passengers, especially from the UK, have dealt with a roulette of delays, rerouting, and increased costs just to reach or connect through Helsinki. Now, with restored schedules and reduced travel anxiety, people can plan with confidence again." When the Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) organised strikes on May 2, 5, 16, 19, 30, June 2, 4 and 11, it was predicted that they could result in the cancellation of more flights on 17 and 19 June across Finnish airports, potentially affecting as many as 64 UK flights and up to 11,520 passengers. Airlines such as KLM, easyJet, Lufthansa, and Air Baltic were impacted. Key routes that were hit included those from London, Manchester, and Edinburgh to Helsinki. Other routes with one or two stops swept up in the chaos include Birmingham, Bristol, Belfast, Nottingham, Southampton, and Leeds to Helsinki via Amsterdam, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Latvia, will also be disrupted. Each strike day cost Finnair and Finavia (the operator of Helsinki Airport) between €10 to €20 million (£8.5million to £17 million) in lost revenue, with wider economic impacts on tourism and hospitality. By the end of the summer, the sector was predicted to lose between €100-€150 million. Booking trends analysis indicates a 7–12% drop in UK bookings to Finland for the summer season, with passengers opting for alternative destinations like Sweden, Norway, or Estonia. Passenger rights company AirAdvisor has predicted a big positive uptick in sales following the end of the strikes. The firm has said routes from London, Manchester, and Edinburgh to Helsinki benefit the most and will now see a 10-15% booking surge for Helsinki connections in July-August. Smaller UK airports such as Liverpool, Birmingham, and Bristol, which previously saw 15-20% fewer bookings due to strike-related delays, will see significant recovery. With full schedules restored, British holidaymakers and business travellers no longer face rerouting, uncertainty, or last-minute cancellations during the busiest months of the year. Ground handling, baggage, catering, maintenance, and customer service staff represented by the IAU downed tools in a row over pay with PALTA. The IAU released figures showing that while Finnair Group employees' average salaries rose by 6.4 percent from 2020 to 2023, during the same time frame, national averages saw a hike of 10.4 percent across all sectors.
Scottish Sun
03-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Hundreds of flights cancelled across Europe this week – with up to 36,000 Brits affected
Plus, Ryanair has warned of record flight delays this summer GROUNDED Hundreds of flights cancelled across Europe this week – with up to 36,000 Brits affected Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FLIGHT cancellations across Europe are set to affect thousands of Brits heading abroad this week. Airlines including easyJet, Ryanair and Air France have been forced to cancel flights today and tomorrow due to French ATC strikes over working conditions and pay. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Hundreds of flights in the UK have been cancelled this week Credit: Reuters This means that as many as 200 flights to and from the UK will be impacted each day on July 3 and July 4, according to AirAdvisor. This works out to as many as 36,000 Brits. Ryanair has cancelled 170 flights in total, which is expected to disrupt over 30,000 passengers. The airline has also claimed that the strikes in France will disrupt passengers flying over French airspace too, en route to other destinations such as Greece and Spain. Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary said: "Once again European families are held to ransom by French Air Traffic Controllers going on strike. "It is not acceptable that overflights over French airspace en route to their destination are being cancelled/delayed as a result of yet another French ATC strike. "It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on EU passengers and families going on holidays." In comparison, easyJet has been forced to cancel 22 UK touching flights today and 38, so far, for tomorrow. Across Europe the airline has made 124 cancellations in total for today and 150 so far, for tomorrow. An easyJet spokesperson said: "As required by the French authorities (DGAC) easyJet proactively cancelled some flights in advance and customers were contacted directly with options to transfer to another flight for free or a refund. "While this is outside of our control, we will do all we can to minimise the impact of the strike action. Flight cancelled or delayed? Top tips for handling travel disruptions "On behalf of our passengers we are extremely unhappy with the strike action, particularly given the current performance of French ATC which has been the leading cause of airspace delays in Europe this summer. "Long term solutions must be found for our customers and crew who suffer repeated disruption." The strike, which is being led by UNSA-INCA and SNCTA unions, will involve 60-70 per cent of ATCs. Anton Radchenko, aviation expert and founder of AirAdvisor explained that the strikes will also cause the airspace to narrow, and as a result the backlog will spread quickly to hubs like Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester. He said: "What many travellers underestimate is how vulnerable short-haul schedules are to even minor disruptions. 3 This means that around 150-200 UK flights will be impacted each day on July 3 and July 4 Credit: AFP "Unlike long-haul routes, where airlines often have contingency buffers, short-haul flights operate on tight rotations." For example, one delay in Lyon or Marseille could lead to a ripple effect that cancels a Stansted departure six hours later. He continued: "My top advice is to travel with full situational awareness. "If your itinerary connects through France or overflies its airspace, even to destinations like Italy or Spain, check with your airline daily, not just the night before. "Take screenshots of every notification, keep every receipt, and escalate immediately if your flight is cancelled. "Under EU261, you're owed assistance even if you're not owed financial compensation, but you have to know how to ask." New EU rules also mean Brits will now get less compensation if their flight is delayed. Plus, Ryanair has warned of record flight delays this summer.
The Irish Sun
03-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Hundreds of flights cancelled across Europe this week – with up to 36,000 Brits affected
FLIGHT cancellations across Europe are set to affect thousands of Brits heading abroad this week. Airlines including strikes over working conditions and pay. Advertisement 3 Hundreds of flights in the UK have been cancelled this week Credit: Reuters This means that as many as 200 flights to and from the UK will be impacted each day on July 3 and July 4, according to This works out to as many as 36,000 Brits. The airline has also claimed that the strikes in Greece and Spain . Advertisement Read more on flights Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary said: "Once again European families are held to ransom by French Air Traffic Controllers going on strike. "It is not acceptable that overflights over French airspace en route to their destination are being cancelled/delayed as a result of yet another French ATC strike. "It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on holidays ." In comparison, easyJet has been forced to cancel 22 UK touching flights today and 38, so far, for tomorrow. Advertisement Most read in News Travel Across Europe the airline has made 124 cancellations in total for today and 150 so far, for tomorrow. An easyJet spokesperson said: "As required by the French authorities (DGAC) "While this is outside of our control, we will do all we can to minimise the impact of the strike action. Flight cancelled or delayed? Top tips for handling travel disruptions "On behalf of our passengers we are extremely unhappy with the strike action, particularly given the current performance of French ATC which has been the leading cause of airspace delays in summer . Advertisement "Long term solutions must be found for our customers and crew who suffer repeated disruption." The strike, which is being led by UNSA-INCA and SNCTA unions, will involve 60-70 per cent of ATCs. Anton Radchenko, aviation expert and founder of AirAdvisor explained that the strikes will also cause the airspace to narrow, and as a result the backlog will spread quickly to hubs like Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester . He said: "What many travellers underestimate is how vulnerable short-haul schedules are to even minor disruptions. Advertisement 3 This means that around 150-200 UK flights will be impacted each day on July 3 and July 4 Credit: AFP "Unlike long-haul routes, where airlines often have contingency buffers, short-haul flights operate on tight rotations." For example, one delay in Lyon or He continued: "My top advice is to travel with full situational awareness. Advertisement "If your itinerary connects through France or overflies its airspace, even to destinations like "Take screenshots of every notification, keep every receipt, and escalate immediately if your "Under New EU rules also mean Brits will now get Advertisement Plus, Ryanair has warned of 3 The strike is also anticipated to impact Brits flying o other destinations including Greece and Spain Credit: AFP
Daily Record
25-06-2025
- Daily Record
12,000 passengers grounded as strikes trigger 'near-total shutdown' at two major airports
A nationwide strike is affecting up to 70 UK flights, including some from Scotland. A nationwide strike in Belgium today (June 25) has triggered a near-total shutdown at Brussels and Charleroi airports, grounding 50-70 UK flights, including many flying out of Scotland, and stranding between 9000 and 12,600 Brits . The walkout led by airport security staff protesting government budget cuts and staffing shortages has forced both airports to suspend all outbound flights today (June 25). From Edinburgh Airport there is a daily Brussels Air flight, while Glasgow Airport usually sees between five and seven daily flights via codeshares or direct services. Experts at AirAdvisor estimate that the strikes will affect between 50 and 70 flights from the UK and will impact between 9,000 and 12,000 passengers. And they said while strikes across Europe have become more common, the scale of disruption today is significantly larger, and it comes during peak summer planning, leading to more problems for travellers. There are also fears of more disruption for travellers with Belgium possibly seeing more strikes in the peak summer months of July and August. This could affect 10 to 15 per cent of summer bookings to the country. Unions have said they may call strikes every four to six weeks if the situation is left unresolved. Anton Radchenko, Aviation Expert & Founder of AirAdvisor said: 'What makes this strike so problematic is that it disrupts the backbone of airport operations: security screening. "Unlike pilot strikes where airlines can sometimes operate reduced schedules, security strikes shut down entire terminals. For UK travellers, this means no flexibility, no fallback options, and no notice." They advise passengers to be prepared ahead of further action this summer. Anton said: "Book flexible fares, avoid same-day connections via Brussels or Charleroi, and build at least 24-hour buffers if your itinerary involves Belgian hubs. "From a legal standpoint, while airlines aren't obligated to pay compensation for these third-party strikes, they must still offer full refunds or alternative routes, and they're required to provide care, including food, transport, and overnight stays where necessary. "If your airline fails to meet these obligations, you have the right to escalate your claim." He also said: "Looking ahead, I strongly advise passengers to treat Belgium as a 'high-risk travel zone' for the next 4–6 weeks. "The same goes for Helsinki, which has been notorious for strikes this year. Until labour disputes are resolved, travellers should reroute through more stable hubs like Amsterdam, Frankfurt, or Paris, where the chance of mass cancellations is significantly lower." AirAdvisor's has also offered advice for UK passengers: Check Flight Status: Use your airline's website or app for accurate and timely updates. Flexible Booking: Reschedule via airline change policies or use travel insurance to cover £150-£1,200 losses. Reroute Options: Consider flying via Amsterdam (AMS) with KLM (£150-£250, 1 hour) or Paris (CDG) with Air France (£200-£300, 1.5 hours), adding 2-4 hours but ensuring safety. Document all receipts, and avoid tight layovers in affected areas. Check FCDO travel advice for Belgium updates and airline apps for real-time changes. Contact customer service for rebooking, as other mediums report 24-hour delays in responses. Consider delaying Belgium trips until mid-July, when strikes may ease.
