Travellers using Czech airports have been warned to brace for overnight delays as a rolling strike by air-traffic-controllers (ATCOs) across parts of Europe enters its sixth day. In a 21 September 2026 update, Time Out detailed that controllers at several regional centres are downing tools daily between 22:00 and 08:00 in an industrial dispute over night-shift bonuses. Although Prague’s own control centre is not participating, aircraft heading to or from Václav Havel Airport must overfly neighbouring FIRs, leading to knock-on schedule changes. Data from Eurocontrol show an average delay of 38 minutes on arrivals from Brussels, Paris and Milan during the first five nights of action, with Smartwings, ČSA and Ryanair forced to retime late-evening rotations. Charter operators say onward connections for Czech package tourists are being particularly affected because many Mediterranean services depart after 23:00 to maximise aircraft utilisation. Corporate mobility managers should warn employees booked on red-eye flights between now and 10 October – the date by which unions say the strike could extend if negotiations fail. Ticket re-routing via non-affected hubs such as Munich or Warsaw may be prudent for critical travel. Companies with time-sensitive air freight should also consider shifting urgent consignments to the road network or scheduling pick-ups earlier in the day. Under EU261 rules, carriers are not obliged to pay compensation for ATC strikes deemed outside their control, but they must offer meals and, if necessary, accommodation. Travellers should therefore keep receipts and monitor airline apps for rebooking options. Experience from previous walkouts suggests the dispute could be resolved at short notice, so flexibility and up-to-the-minute communication are key.
Source: Time Out
