TL;DR
- Belgium, Italy, and Spain are facing transport strikes this week affecting flights, trains, and baggage handling
- Belgium’s three-day national strike (started Sunday) has cancelled all Wednesday departures from Brussels Airport
- Italy faces two strikes on 27-28 November affecting rail and air travel
- Spain’s baggage handler strikes continue every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through December
- Proactive communication and clear information help clients navigate disruption smoothly
This is one of those weeks where being a travel agent means more than booking holidays. It’s about being the reassuring presence at the other end of the phone when travel plans shift unexpectedly.
Right now, transport workers across Belgium, Italy, and Spain are taking industrial action over labour disputes. For UK travellers moving through or heading to these countries, the impact is immediate: cancelled flights, reduced train services, and holiday plans that need quick adjustments.
If you have clients travelling this week, you’re likely already fielding questions. Here’s what’s happening, what your clients need to know, and how you can support them through it.
What’s Happening Where
Belgium: Three Days of Disruption
Belgium’s national strike began Sunday evening (23 November at 10pm) and runs through tomorrow, Wednesday 26 November. Railway workers, airport security staff, ground handlers, and public transport operators are protesting government austerity measures, including plans to raise the retirement age.
The impact:
Belgian rail operator SNCB is running approximately 20% of usual services across all three days, with even fewer trains during peak hours. Eurostar has reduced Brussels-Paris services by 50%, while Brussels-Liège-Germany routes are down to just 20% capacity.
Tomorrow (Wednesday 26 November), Brussels Airport cancelled all 206 departing flights to ensure passenger safety as security and ground-handling staff joined the action. Some arriving flights are also affected. Brussels-Charleroi Airport suspended commercial operations for the day as well.
Italy: A Challenging 48 Hours Ahead
Italy will face two strikes within 48 hours, creating a particularly tricky window for travellers.
27 November to 28 November: A 24-hour national rail strike will run from 9pm Thursday to 9pm Friday, affecting Trenitalia high-speed trains, intercity services, and regional routes. Essential regional services will operate only during guaranteed windows: 6-9am and 6-9pm.
Friday 28 November: A nationwide general strike will affect air travel, rail, road, maritime transport, and local public services. This will include flight crews, baggage handlers, airport ground staff, and motorway services.
Italian law requires flights scheduled between 7-10am and 6-9pm to operate, though delays may still occur during these protected windows.
Spain: The Long-Running Story
Spain’s situation is different. Baggage handlers at Azul Handling (part of the Ryanair Group) have been on strike since 15 August and will continue through 31 December.
Work stoppages happen every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during three windows: 5-9am, 12-3pm, and 9pm-midnight.
Twelve airports are affected: Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, Alicante, Seville, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Girona, Tenerife South, Lanzarote, and Santiago de Compostela.
While Ryanair has stated it doesn’t anticipate major disruptions, ground handling strikes can cause baggage delays and boarding complications, particularly during busy travel periods.
What Your Clients Need Right Now
When flights are disrupted, clients need clear information and practical support.
Reach Out First
If you have travellers flying through Brussels, Rome, Milan, or affected Spanish airports this week, a quick message can ease anxiety. Even something simple like: “Hi [Name], wanted to give you a heads-up about transport strikes in Belgium/Italy this week. I’m keeping an eye on your booking and will let you know if anything changes.”
That one message provides reassurance.
Know the Rebooking Rules
When flights are disrupted, early action improves rebooking options. Airlines must rebook passengers on the next available flight at no extra cost if the disruption affects the same ticket booking. Eurostar is offering free exchanges or refunds for affected services.
For separate ticket bookings, clients may need to purchase new tickets, which is where travel insurance becomes important.
Understand Passenger Rights
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers can claim compensation for delays over three hours or cancellations — but only when the disruption is within the airline’s control.
Here’s the distinction that matters:
Strikes by airline staff (pilots, cabin crew) are within the airline’s control, so compensation applies. Strikes by external parties (airport staff, air traffic control, third-party baggage handlers) are considered “extraordinary circumstances,” meaning compensation typically doesn’t apply.
In Belgium and Italy, the strikes involve airport security and ground handlers who aren’t airline employees. For Spain’s Azul Handling strikes, the baggage handlers work for a contractor, not directly for Ryanair. These fall under extraordinary circumstances, making compensation claims unlikely.
However, airlines are still required to provide assistance: meals, accommodation, and alternative transport when needed.
Check Travel Insurance Coverage
Comprehensive travel insurance often covers trip cancellation or interruption due to strikes — provided the strike wasn’t announced before the policy was purchased. Some policies include “force majeure” coverage for unforeseen events like strikes, natural disasters, or civil unrest.
Help clients understand what their policy covers and support them with claims if needed.
What This Means in Real Life
Disruption isn’t new to travel, but the frequency of strikes across Europe highlights something many agents are experiencing: the unexpected has become more routine.
When agents successfully navigate disruption for clients, it often becomes a defining moment in the relationship. Research from the Institute of Customer Service found that how companies handle crises frequently determines customer loyalty. In travel especially, clients who receive strong support during disruption are more likely to return and recommend their agent to others.
Industry reports from the July 2023 flight cancellation period showed that agents who maintained proactive communication and provided clear guidance retained significantly higher client satisfaction rates despite widespread operational challenges.
Building It Into Your Process
While strikes and disruptions can’t be prevented, preparation helps agents respond effectively.
Before booking: During high-risk travel periods, have honest conversations with clients about potential disruptions and how you’ll handle them. Cover cancellation policies, what travel insurance protects, and your availability during their trip. This transparency builds trust.
During disruption: Keep clients updated, even while you’re still working on solutions. A quick “Still on this — will have an answer within the hour” reassures them they’re not forgotten.
After the trip: A simple follow-up message — “How was your trip? Hope the rebooking worked out smoothly!” — maintains the relationship beyond the transaction.
Worth Knowing
Travel has become increasingly automated in recent years. Bookings can be made through apps, hotels suggested by algorithms, and basic questions answered by chatbots. But when things go wrong — when strikes cancel flights, when families’ holiday plans need immediate replanning — automated systems can’t provide the guidance and reassurance that clients need.
This week’s strikes across Belgium, Italy, and Spain are a reminder that the travel industry relies on people at every level. That includes the agents who help travellers navigate both smooth journeys and unexpected changes.
If you have travellers affected this week, reach out now. And if you don’t, take a moment to review how you’d handle disruption. In travel, it’s not if disruption happens — it’s when.
Clients remember the agents who help them through difficult situations.
Agent Advantage Insight
Proactive communication during disruption builds long-term client relationships and strengthens trust in your service.
