What’s happening at airports in UK and Europe?
Airports across Europe are struggling to deal with the scores of travellers making their way to various destinations for the summer holidays. After a dip in travel during the pandemic, tourism is rapidly recovering in the region. The International Air Transport Association expects total passenger numbers in Europe to reach 86% of 2019 figures in 2022.
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On 29 May, Dublin airport officials announced that over 1,000 passengers missed their flights because of long lines at the airport. Images on social media showed similar queues at terminal buildings in London Gatwick, Amsterdam Schiphol and Lisbon around the same time.
What’s causing the chaos at European airports?
Most countries in Europe have lifted strict coronavirus restrictions, leading to a surge in demand for bookings and travel in these destinations. But there are also other problems apart from the sheer number of travelling across Europe. During the pandemic, airports and airlines laid off several staff members, leading to a staff shortage at present. Many are not keen to return to their previous jobs, and hiring and training new staff is likely to take a while.
Additionally, aviation staff across several countries in Europe are currently going on strikes to demand better working conditions and higher wages. Last week, at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, over 100 flights were cancelled on Thursday after the workers’ union staged a walkout to demand higher wages. At several airports in Italy, a similar situation occurred last week after air traffic controllers and cabin-crew went on a 24-hour strike. Several Scandinavian Airlines pilots have also announced a strike at the end of June in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, over salary issues.
