Italy airport worker walkouts set for October 13 and 29

Published on Oct 9, 2025, 10:00 am CDT

6 min read

Italy faces two airport-staff actions this month that could disrupt flights, baggage handling, and connections. On October 13, workers at Aeroporti di Roma plan a four-hour strike impacting Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA). On October 29, 24-hour ground-handling walkouts are slated at Milan Linate Airport (LIN) and across Tuscany at Pisa International Airport (PSA) and Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR). ENAC's protected time bands will apply, with additional "minimum services" in effect. Here is what travelers can expect, how rail and metro overlaps may compound delays, and what EU261 offers when disruptions occur.

Key points

Why it matters: Two strike days target Rome, Milan Linate, Pisa, and Florence, risking cancellations and long lines.
Travel impact: ENAC protects 700-1000 and 1800-2100 departures; outside those bands, cuts rise.
What's next: Airlines will publish "guaranteed flights" lists; check bookings and rebook proactively.
EU261: Airline-staff strikes often trigger compensation; airport or ATC strikes usually do not.
Rail overlap: Italian rail has its own protected bands 600-900 and 1800-2100 on strike days.

Snapshot

October 13: FAST-Confsal has called a four-hour strike at Aeroporti di Roma from 1200 to 1600, affecting Fiumicino and Ciampino operations. October 29: multiple unions have filed 24-hour actions at Milan Linate and at Pisa and Florence, targeting ground-handling services such as check-in, boarding, and baggage. ENAC confirms protected bands in aviation from 700 to 1000 and 1800 to 2100 during strikes, plus an official list of "guaranteed" flights. Outside those windows, airport directors must still authorize a baseline of operations under minimum-service rules. Separate city or rail strikes may overlap by date or time bands, which can complicate airport access and onward train links. Monitor airline notifications and Italy's strike calendars for finalized scope and any exemptions.

Background

Italy's strike regime mandates "fasce orarie garantite" in aviation, requiring carriers to operate flights scheduled in the 700-1000 and 1800-2100 windows and to honor ENAC's published "indispensable" services, including certain island links and long-haul movements. Outside the protected bands, airport directors are tasked with authorizing a percentage of scheduled flights to preserve essential mobility. For rail, weekday strikes generally preserve regional trains 600-900 and 1800-2100. Recent advisories point to October airport actions focused on Rome for a short window and on Milan Linate, Pisa, and Florence for full-day handling stoppages. Disruption contours depend on carrier schedules, staffing coverage, and whether local transit actions limit access to terminals. Expect cascading effects on baggage delivery and tight connections.

Latest developments

Rome's October 13 airport strike: four-hour window and protected bands

Aeroporti di Roma staff are set to strike from 1200 to 1600 on October 13, with impacts centered on terminal services at Fiumicino and Ciampino. ENAC's protected bands still apply, so flights scheduled 700-1000 and 1800-2100 should operate, and the agency will publish its "volI garantiti" list. Travelers connecting via Rome should build in buffer time for security, boarding, and baggage. While city transit walkouts around Rome this month are largely on different dates, localized slowdowns or demonstrations can still affect airport access; allow extra time if traveling by regional rail or bus to the airports.

October 29 ground handling: Milan Linate, Pisa, and Florence face full-day actions

Multiple unions have filed 24-hour actions for October 29 targeting ground-handling companies at Linate and at the Tuscan airports in Pisa and Florence. Swissport-managed activities at Linate are cited in several advisories, while Tuscany notices reference handling staff across both airports. Expect widespread delays and cancellations outside the protected bands, with potential knock-ons for baggage delivery and turnarounds. Some listings also flag actions involving Airport Handling staff across the Milan system; monitor airline emails and the official strike calendar for final confirmations and any exemptions published closer to the date.

Analysis

These walkouts are likely to hurt short-haul and domestic frequencies most, since carriers can consolidate or retime those flights outside the affected windows. Long-haul operations often proceed under ENAC's "indispensable" criteria, but ground-handling gaps still slow boarding, connections, and baggage. Rome's four-hour action will concentrate disruption into a midday peak; expect heavier effects on departures scheduled just before noon and arrivals shortly after 16:00 as crews and gates reset. On October 29, all-day handling stoppages at Linate, Pisa, and Florence will test airport resilience; Linate's dense business schedule and limited runway capacity make it particularly sensitive to staffing shortages. Rail-and-metro overlaps are date-specific, but when they occur, they impact first-mile access and last-mile recovery, especially at Florence's Peretola where tram connections are key. The safest play is to move at-risk itineraries into ENAC's protected bands, avoid tight connections, and pack essentials in carry-on in case of baggage delays.

Remedies and EU261: If an airline's own staff strike causes a delay of three hours at arrival or a cancellation, compensation may be owed under EU261, per CJEU case law and the Commission's 2024 guidance. Strikes by third parties, such as airport ground handlers, security, or air traffic control, are generally "extraordinary circumstances," which remove compensation but not the airline's duty of care. Duty of care includes rerouting, meals, communications, and hotel where needed until carriage is completed. Keep receipts, request written disruption reasons, and claim through the operating carrier.

Final thoughts

Two targeted airport-worker actions in October will put pressure on Rome, Linate, Pisa, and Florence. Your best defenses are to shift flights into ENAC's protected bands, avoid tight connections, and confirm airport access if local rail or metro actions coincide. Know your EU261 rights, distinguish between airline-staff and third-party strikes, and ask carriers to reroute you proactively if you are outside protected windows. With preparation, most travelers can navigate the disruption and safeguard plans around the Italy airport worker walkouts.