Italy Airport Strikes Set For October 29

Published on Oct 27, 2025, 9:14 am CDT

4 min read

Impact

What Changed: Airport handling and airline staff strikes are scheduled across Italy on October 29 with overlapping actions

Italy's air transport network faces a concentrated day of disruption on Wednesday, October 29, as airport ground-handling staff plan 24-hour walkouts at Milan Linate Airport (LIN), Pisa International Airport, Galileo Galilei (PSA), and Florence Airport, Amerigo Vespucci (FLR). Layered on top, Air France and KLM ground staff intend to stop from 1200 to 4:00 p.m. local, and Vueling flight crew plan a separate 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. action, while Volotea staff are listed for a full-day stoppage. Italy's civil aviation rules require "protected bands" from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. and 600 to 900 p.m., when scheduled flights must operate, but travelers should still expect thinning schedules and longer lines outside those windows.

Italy Airport Strikes

The broadest impacts will center on ground operations at Linate, Pisa, and Florence, where handling companies support check-in, gate, ramp, and baggage. Swissport and Airport Handling roles at the Milan airports, and Consulta roles in Tuscany, are cited in official and trade calendars. That means even when aircraft and crews are available, turns may slow, baggage may back up, and airlines may consolidate flights or retime around the guaranteed windows.

Latest developments

An ITA Airways operational notice warns of potential cancellations and delays tied to the October 29 handling strikes at Milan, Florence, and Pisa. National and regional outlets in Italy also flag the overlapping four-hour airline staff actions, with Air France and KLM ground staff from 1200 to 400 p.m. and Vueling crew from 100 to 500 p.m. These overlays will pinch midday operations, especially at hub gates and baggage belts.

Analysis

For point-to-point travelers, the cleanest mitigation is to fly within the protected windows, 700-1000 a.m. and 600-900 p.m. local, when flights are legally safeguarded and minimum services are enforced. Outside those bands, airport directors must authorize a baseline of operations, yet staffing shortages can still force cuts or protracted delays. Build extra time for security and boarding, travel with carry-on if possible, and avoid tight connections, particularly at Linate where short-haul business banks cluster around midday.

If you are already booked through Milan Linate and want a deeper primer on how the day may flow at that airport, see our recent coverage, which explains how carriers balance schedules around the guaranteed windows and why baggage delivery often lags even when flights operate. Likewise, our October strikes outlook connects the Oct. 13 and Oct. 29 actions and summarizes how ENAC's rules work in practice across Italy's airports. Milan Linate strike to disrupt ground handling Oct. 29 and Italy airport worker walkouts set for October 13 and 29.

Background

ENAC, Italy's civil aviation authority, defines "minimum services" in aviation during strikes. Flights scheduled in the 700-1000 a.m. and 600-900 p.m. bands must operate, and certain long-haul, island, and state missions are protected. Outside those bands, authorities still authorize a percentage of flights to preserve essential mobility. The practical effect for travelers is a two-peak day in which the protected windows see fuller schedules, while midday and late-evening periods carry the highest risk of cancellations and baggage delays.

EU261 remedies, in brief

Compensation under EU261 depends on who is striking. If the disruption is caused by an airline's own staff, compensation may be due for long delays or cancellations, alongside the carrier's duty of care. If the disruption stems from third parties, for example, airport handlers or air traffic control, it is generally considered an "extraordinary circumstance," which removes compensation but not the duty of care, such as rerouting, meals, communications, and hotel when needed. Keep receipts, ask the airline to state the cause in writing, and claim through the operating carrier. (Guidance summarized from EU and court materials; eligibility varies by itinerary.)

Final thoughts

The October 29 handling strikes will stress Milan Linate, Pisa, and Florence across the day, and the overlapping four-hour airline staff actions will tighten the midday squeeze. The simplest moves are to shift into the protected bands, accept rebooking offers quickly, and minimize checked baggage. With preparation and prompt coordination with your airline, most itineraries can be protected or rerouted around Italy's airport strikes.