Strike action could hit summer holiday flights in Europe

European flights during the summer holiday period could be affected by strike action by air traffic managers. Eurocontrol, which manages flights over Europe, has said one of its unions could take industrial action, although no dates have been announced yet. Negotiations are continuing with the union and other unions, Eurocontrol said. Industry group Airlines UK urged Eurocontrol "to reach agreement as soon as possible". Another industry body, Airlines for Europe, said the possible impact of any strike action "remains to be determined". Eurocontrol said it was "making every effort to keep negotiations open and to find a constructive way forward". One of its trade unions, Union Syndicale Bruxelles, has "announced a period of six months during which industrial action could take place". It said the action could affect its Network Manager Operations Centre, which handles more than 10m flights a year. Prior to the pandemic, it had daily peaks managing more than 37,000 flights, and Eurocontrol said the centre played a pivotal role in managing, streamlining and improving air traffic. Eurocontrol stressed that it was in "ongoing dialogue" with the union. "As no notice of specific industrial action has been received, it is premature to speculate on any potential impact," it said. Airlines for Europe said any strike action would not affect Eurocontrol's air traffic control services and "therefore its impact on passengers could be limited". The BBC has approached Union Syndicale Bruxelles for comment. Aviation in Europe is facing a particular set of challenges this summer. Demand for flights is returning to pre-Covid pandemic levels, and European airspace is being constricted by Russia's war in Ukraine. But there is a shortage of air traffic controllers, and some strikes are already planned - for example, there is an air traffic strike in Italy on Saturday 15 July.<br/>