Italy air transport strike: guaranteed flights and your EU261 rights

Published on Sep 26, 2025, 9:34 am CDTUpdated on Sep 26, 2025, 9:34 am CDT

6 min read

Nationwide 24-hour walkouts are disrupting airline crews, ground handling, and airport operations across Italy on Friday, September 26. ENAC's minimum-service "protected windows" run 700-1000 and 1800-2100 local, during which departures must operate. Outside those hours, travelers should expect cancellations and rolling delays, especially at Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, and Milan Linate. Pilots and cabin crew at Wizz Air Malta and Volotea are among the groups striking, while Assohandlers-affiliated ground staff stage a separate four-hour action from 1000-1400.

Italy air transport strike: minimum services and airport advisories

Key points

Why it matters: Flights outside 700-1000 and 1800-2100 face the highest cancellation risk.
Travel impact: Wizz Air Malta, Volotea, and airport handling actions compound disruptions nationwide.
What's next: Check your airline's app for rolling rebooks; some airports advise arriving earlier than usual.
Guaranteed flights: Island lifeline links and a defined long-haul list are protected by ENAC.
Remedies: EU261 rebooking or refund applies; compensation is generally not owed for strikes.

Snapshot

ENAC confirms nationwide aviation walkouts from 0000 to 2359 on September 26, with additional handling-staff stoppages from 1000 to 1400. Protected windows require airlines to operate scheduled departures 700-1000 and 1800-2100. ENAC's guaranteed-flights list also preserves essential island connectivity and specific intercontinental departures, while all intercontinental arrivals are assured. Airports in Rome, Milan, Venice, Naples, Bologna, Cagliari, and Turin have published passenger advisories warning of delays, possible cancellations, and longer lines at security and check-in. Travelers should monitor carrier apps, confirm transfers, and avoid tight rail or cruise connections. If your flight is canceled, EU261 guarantees a choice of rebooking or refund, plus care, though monetary compensation is typically excluded for strikes.

Background

Under Italian law and ENAC directives, aviation strikes must maintain minimum services for mobility. Two "fasce di garanzia" protect morning and evening departures, and a published list safeguards lifeline island flights and selected long-haul services. Today's actions involve multiple categories: airline crews at Wizz Air Malta and Volotea for 24 hours, and airport workers across the Assohandlers association for four hours midday. Italy's Ministry of Infrastructure strike registry lists related local actions, including drivers at SEA (Milan airports). Airports have issued notices to arrive early and verify flight status. While disruption spikes outside the protected hours, knock-on delays often spill into the evening as aircraft and crews fall out of position.

Latest developments

Exact timing and who is striking

ENAC lists four actions today: a 24-hour national strike by aviation and airport workers; a 24-hour strike by Volotea staff; a 24-hour strike by Wizz Air Malta flight crew; and a four-hour, 1000-1400, stoppage by Assohandlers-affiliated handling companies. Expect baggage, cleaning, and turnaround delays to cascade into schedule changes outside 700-1000 and 1800-2100. Wizz Air and Volotea have warned of potential disruption and are notifying customers via apps and email. Italy's strike registry also flags local actions at Milan's Linate and Malpensa that may affect shuttle and ramp logistics.

Guaranteed-flights list (highlights)

ENAC's list guarantees: all departures scheduled within 700-1000 and 1800-2100; charter flights to and from the islands authorized before the strike; and specific daily island lifeline links. Examples include DAT Palermo-Pantelleria and Catania-Pantelleria rotations; essential Sardinia connections such as Ryanair Malpensa-Alghero, EasyJet Naples-Olbia, and Volotea Verona-Cagliari and Verona-Catania; plus Malpensa-Lampedusa. All intercontinental arrivals are assured, along with named long-haul departures from Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa, such as ITA Airways Rome-New York and Rome-Tokyo Haneda, Delta Venice-New York, United Malpensa-Chicago, Emirates Malpensa-Dubai, and others listed by ENAC. Carriers may operate additional flights where staffing allows.

Airport-by-airport advisories

Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), Aeroporti di Roma advises possible delays and cancellations; monitor apps and live boards.
Milan Malpensa (MXP) and Milan Linate (LIN), local actions include SEA drivers and handling staff; expect knock-ons around the 1000-1400 handling stoppage.
Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), SAVE warns of 24-hour sector strike impacts; check with your airline.
Naples International Airport (NAP), GESAC notes Wizz Air, Volotea, and sector actions; contact your carrier and arrive early.
Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ), airport notice cites a 24-hour strike with service disruptions; use real-time flight pages.
Cagliari Elmas Airport (CAG), SOGAER highlights national and local actions; arrive early to clear security.
Turin Airport (TRN), SAGAT warns of delays and cancellations; verify status and allow extra time.

FAA daily air traffic report: September 26, 2025

Analysis

Today's pattern is classic for Italian aviation strikes. The legal carve-outs keep core mobility intact, especially island lifelines and long-haul connectivity, but the four-hour handling stoppage from 1000 to 1400 is a force multiplier. When turnarounds slow, queues grow at check-in and security, bags miss flights, and aircraft rotations slip. Protected windows should run relatively smoothly, yet even those departures can suffer if the inbound aircraft arrived late or uncrewed. The biggest pinch points are Milan's dual-airport ecosystem, Rome Fiumicino's complex hub banks, and leisure-heavy island links where a missed rotation reverberates. Travelers with same-day cruise embarkations or rail connections should build generous buffers or shift to the evening protected window. Airlines will generally rebook automatically; proactive app management and accepting earlier options can preserve onward plans. Expect residual delays into Saturday morning as fleets and crews re-position.

Final thoughts

If you can pivot, aim to depart in ENAC's protected windows or move to Saturday. Keep boarding passes, receipts, and written notices to support EU261 care claims, and ask for rebooking on the earliest available flight, including partner airlines when your carrier cannot transport you "under comparable conditions." Most importantly, confirm transfers at destination, as late-night curfews and missed last-train cutoffs can strand travelers. With a plan, patience, and the right expectations, you can ride out the Italy air transport strike while protecting your trip.