With the Euro school holidays now in full swing and European summer ‘Getaways’ reaching their annual peak, it’s been a stressful week to travel around the EU for many reasons.
From the devastating and tragic hellfires in Greece, to record sizzling temperatures in the UK, and continued strike misery for thousands of stranded travellers with more Ryanair and Eurostar action to come… It’s been a trying time for travellers to say the least.
And with the busiest travel weekend of the year about to begin in Europe, the pressure shows no signs of easing up just yet.
Wish I knew about #RyanAir horrible treatment towards their workers before I bought a flight to Italy. How do we know if our flight is delayed or cancelled? https://t.co/TaWmwFrNce
— Amalia (@arntr89) July 26, 2018
Yesterday, Ryanair cabin crew began their 48-hour strike in Spain, Portugal and Belgium. The pilot troubled low-cost carrier is already in the midst of its most significant strike action ever with over 600 flights cancelled across Europe affecting 100,000 passengers.
#RyanAir doing what they do best massive queues not enough staff or any organisation, so much for checking in on line and priority boarding @Manchesterairport pic.twitter.com/WSOMTTHibh
— Aussie (@StephenAustin19) July 24, 2018
While Dublin-based Ryanair says travellers have been given refunds or put onto new flights, many have complained they were left stranded overseas.
More bad news on the way is that Ryanair passengers will face more frustration with Irish pilots striking on August 3 over more plans to axe up to 300 pilot and cabin crew jobs at its Dublin base. The tension has since amped up between bosses and the unions which will undoubtedly lead to more disruptions in the coming summer weeks.
#Eurostar is a fail today in Belgium pic.twitter.com/kXhpWWX7vB
— Scott Harrison (@iscott71) July 26, 2018
Meanwhile, over at London St Pancras station, Eurostar station staff are also set to strike on Saturday, which could also cause pain and more disruption for train travellers on their way to Europe.
Around 140 Eurostar staff say they face ‘shocking and dangerous’ working conditions because of repeated service failures and breakdowns. The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said the international terminal at St Pancras is in utter ‘chaos’, with staff bearing the brunt of public anger over delays to services.
Members of the (RMT) will walk out for 24 hours after talks broke down without agreement.
A reason not to be using the #Eurostar today – queues going all the way up #StPancrasStation : s #FridayThoughts pic.twitter.com/5MeTkAcwfr
— Thegirlfrom1982 (@Thegirlfrom1982) July 20, 2018
A Eurostar spokesman said: “We are aware of the proposed strike and are disappointed that this action is planned. We plan to run a normal service so that all passengers booked to travel with Eurostar will be able to do so”.
This on top of many already delayed Eurotunnel services of up to five hours – some much longer – as travellers queued in their cars to get on a Eurostar train to France.
Yeah…. #heatwave #heatwaveproblems #hittegolf pic.twitter.com/SyDFtXp3wl
— ♥ Suzy ♥ (@simplysuzy33) July 26, 2018
And finally – The ‘Great British Bake Off’ or ‘not so great heatwave’ for many, has seen temperatures soaring to 30C plus in the South of England for the last two weeks. While thunderstorms are forecast for this weekend in the central and northern areas, Southern England is set to continue to bake into August in what are the hottest temperatures since 1976.
While it may sound like a good idea for those on holiday or at the beach, the reality of Britain’s infrastructure handling the unusual and intense heat is not so great.
The sizzling temps have forced rail tracks to buckle and led to train and bus delays with many businesses including the famously ‘Air-con free’ London Tube struggling to cope with the stifling heat.
The London Tube yesterday… Bikram Yoga anyone? Pic: Sky News
Indeed Britain is now just one stage away from a national emergency being declared with today’s “Furnace Friday” that could topple the 38.5C recorded in Faversham in Kent in August 2003.
READ: GREECE FIRES: Is Athens safe for tourists? Expert advice for Agents & their clients
READ: SWEATY BETTY: UK swelters in GREAT British Bake Off
READ: ‘Boycott Ryanair’: Why travellers are being told to shun the low-cost carrier
