Italy Nov. 14 Air Disruption: ENAV, easyJet, Volotea

Published on Nov 6, 2025, 8:48 am CST

4 min read

Key points

ENAV air traffic control staff will strike nationwide from 1:00-5:00 p.m. CET on Friday, November 14
easyJet Italy crews plan a simultaneous 1:00-5:00 p.m. action while Volotea staff are set for a 24-hour strike
Italy's protected time bands mean flights 7:00-10:00 a.m. and 6:00-9:00 p.m. local should operate
Expect targeted cancellations and delays around the 1:00-5:00 p.m. window, plus residual disruption later in the day
Check for airline waivers or proactive rebooking and avoid tight connections on November 14

Impact

Rebook Outside Strike Window: Choose departures before 1:00 p.m. or after 5:00 p.m. local when possible
Build Extra Connection Time: Allow generous buffers for same-day connections, especially mid-afternoon
Monitor Carrier Alerts: Watch your airline app, email, and flight status for cancellation or waiver notices
Know Protected Bands: Flights scheduled 7:00-10:00 a.m. and 6:00-9:00 p.m. local are protected under Italian rules
Consider Alternate Airports: If schedules thin at your origin, look at nearby Italian or cross-border airports

Short-haul flights across Italy face targeted disruption on Friday, November 14, 2025, as air traffic control staff at ENAV plan a four-hour national stoppage from 100 to 500 p.m. local time. The action coincides with a four-hour strike by easyJet cabin crew and a separate, 24-hour walkout at Volotea, increasing the likelihood of cancellations and mid-afternoon delays even where minimum services operate. Travelers should avoid tight connections, select departures outside the 100-500 p.m. window when possible, and watch for carrier waivers and rebooking offers.

ENAV stoppage and airline actions

Italian outlets and the government strike calendar list a nationwide ENAV strike from 100 to 500 p.m. CET on November 14, called by the Astra union, which may force flow restrictions and selected cancellations as airlines trim schedules during the stoppage. At the same time, easyJet crews are set to strike from 100 to 500 p.m., and Volotea staff are due to strike for 24 hours, creating airline-specific impacts layered on top of ATC constraints.

While the ENAV action is time-limited, its mid-afternoon timing often causes knock-on effects into the evening as aircraft and crews return to position. Expect thinner operations in the early afternoon, some retimed flights near the edge of the window, and residual delays after 5:00 p.m. as rotations recover.

Protected time bands (what should still run)

Italy's aviation strike rules include "fasce di garanzia," protected windows when flights must operate: 700-1000 a.m. and 600-900 p.m. local time. Flights scheduled squarely inside these bands should go ahead, subject to weather and normal ops, though delays can still occur around the edges as the network re-starts. ENAC, Italy's civil aviation authority, maintains the protected-flight page and updates as needed.

Airports and routes most exposed

Because ENAV controls the national network, the stoppage can affect any Italian airport. Disruption risk is highest for departures and arrivals planned between 100 and 500 p.m. local, and for customers booked with easyJet or Volotea during their declared strike hours. Major gateways such as Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa typically see the most schedule volume, so even targeted reductions there can create wider ripple effects across domestic and intra-Europe routes. Local media and national listings warn that November includes multiple strike days across modes, so travelers should keep plans flexible throughout the month.

How it works: strikes, guarantees, and your rights

Italy balances the right to strike with continuity of essential services, including air transport. During confirmed actions, ENAC requires minimum services and enforces protected time bands, which is why airlines often consolidate schedules into the morning and evening peaks on strike days. If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed, EU Regulation 261/2004 may provide care, rerouting, or refunds, with compensation depending on the cause. ENAC's passenger-rights page explains refunds for long delays and outlines when compensation can apply.

What to do now

If you are booked to fly within Italy or to and from Italy on November 14, recheck your itinerary and, where possible, move to flights before 100 p.m. or after 500 p.m. local. Airlines typically publish operational advisories or push app notifications when rebooking windows open; easyJet and Volotea direct customers to their status and disruption pages for updates. Even if your flight is inside a protected band, build extra time for check-in and security, and expect residual delays as operations resume after 5:00 p.m.

Final thoughts

The November 14 ENAV strike, coupled with easyJet and Volotea actions, concentrates risk into Italy's mid-afternoon hours. Use the protected bands to your advantage, keep itineraries flexible, and monitor airline channels closely to minimize disruption from the ENAV, easyJet, and Volotea strikes.