Is an airline strike an "extraordinary circumstance" that voids EU 261 compensation?
No. The CJEU has repeatedly held that a strike by the airline's own staff is inherent in normal business and does not release the carrier from paying EU 261 compensation. Third-party strikes (air traffic control, airport ground handlers) can qualify as extraordinary.
The distinction is who is striking. In Krüsemann (C-195/17), the CJEU ruled that a wildcat strike by cabin crew after a restructuring announcement is not extraordinary — internal labour disputes are part of normal operations. In Airhelp v SAS (C-28/20), the same logic applied to a lawful pilot strike. Third-party ATC strikes, airport-wide walkouts, and force-majeure events at ground handlers usually do qualify. Ask the airline for the operational reason code in writing and check whether the strike hit the airline directly or the surrounding infrastructure before accepting a rejection.
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Last verified 2026-07-29.