Italy national strike on 5 July: flights may be delayed or cancelled

A national strike is planned in Italy on Sunday, 5 July, with several sectors expected to be affected. The aviation sector is also part of the strike action. This means passengers travelling to, from or within Italy may face delays, long queues at the airport or even flight cancellations.

But what are your rights if your flight is affected? In this article, we explain which airports and airlines may be impacted, and what passengers can expect.

Which airports and airlines are affected?

The strike action affects several aviation services across Italy, including airport staff, ground handling workers, security staff and air traffic control personnel. Disruptions are expected at multiple airports, including:

• Milan Malpensa, due to strike action by ENAV air traffic control staff and FedEx staff;
• Rome Fiumicino and Rome Ciampino, where ADR Security staff are expected to strike;
• Catania Fontanarossa, where ASC Handling staff are expected to strike;
• Palermo, where staff of UAB DAT LT may be affected.

In addition, easyJet pilots and cabin crew are also listed in the strike action. Because several essential airport services may be disrupted at the same time, passengers may experience delays at check-in, baggage handling, security checks, boarding and flight operations.

Airlines may also decide to cancel flights in advance if they cannot operate them safely or on time due to the strike.

Are passengers entitled to compensation?

In most cases, passengers are not entitled to compensation if their flight is cancelled or delayed because of a national strike outside the airline’s direct control.

Strikes by airport staff, security staff, ground handling companies or air traffic control are usually considered extraordinary circumstances. This means the airline may not have to pay compensation.

However, passengers are still entitled to care, such as food, drinks and, if necessary, hotel accommodation. In the event of a cancellation, passengers are also entitled to an alternative flight or a refund.

Do you disagree with the airline’s decision, or are you unsure whether your flight problem was really caused by the strike? You can always submit your claim to EUclaim. We will investigate what happened and check whether you may still be entitled to compensation.

Why are workers going on strike?

The strike is part of a wider labour dispute in Italy. Several unions have announced strike action over issues such as working conditions, staff shortages, pay and contract negotiations.

In the aviation sector, the action involves different groups of workers, including airport staff, security staff, handling companies, air traffic control staff and easyJet crew. Because these groups all play an important role in airport operations, the strike may have a direct impact on flights and passengers.