Flights in Italy face disruption as nationwide air transport strikes hit on Friday

Air passengers in Italy should prepare for disruption this Friday, 26 September, as nationwide strikes are likely to affect travel plans at the start of the weekend.

Walkouts have been called by the CUB Trasporti and USB unions– two of Italy’s biggest rank-and-file unions – in a dispute over pay and working conditions. The 24-hour strike will involve airline crews as well as airport staff, with Milan’s Linate and Malpensa airports set to be among the worst affected.

Ground operations will also be hit. Baggage handlers employed by Assohandlers are walking out from 10 am to 2 pm, while drivers at Milan’s airports are striking for the full day. Security staff at Sardinia’s Cagliari Elmas Airport are also joining the action all day.

Meanwhile, pilots and cabin crew from low-cost carriers Volotea and Wizz Air Malta are also going on strike for 24 hours, citing low pay and poor working conditions.

Why are airport workers striking?

On top of stagnant wages, CUB Trasporti has called out airports for failure to provide backpay for Sunday work, wage discrepancies for vacation days and out-of-pocket laundry expenses.

“It’s time for the companies that have so far refused to compensate workers at Linate, Malpensa and Bergamo airports to pay what they owe, and the other companies in the entire national aviation, airport and related industries to recognize workers’ rights,” union organisers published in a statement.

“Passenger and cargo traffic is growing, but exploitation is increasing, and workers’ wages and rights are being cut.”

The union is also mobilising for “the Palestinian people [and] victims of genocide, as well as unconditional support for the [Global Sudum] Flotilla,” the Greta Thunberg-led humanitarian vessel that organisers say was struck by drones off the coast of Crete on Wednesday. The group has called for Italy and the EU “to severely sanction” Israel.

What do the strikes mean for travellers?

The worker action doesn’t mean that every flight will be cancelled, however.

Italy’s civil aviation authority ENAC says flights scheduled between 7 am and 10 am and 6 pm and 9 pm must still operate during strikes. Details of guaranteed services on 26 September are listed on ENAC’s website.

Outside of those windows, cancellations and delays are likely. Travellers are advised to check directly with their airline before leaving for the airport and allow extra time for their journeys.

More strikes planned in Italy

Friday’s strike is just the beginning of a bumpy few weeks for travellers in Italy.

A 24-hour nationwide rail strike is planned from 9 pm on 2 October until 9 pm on 3 October. A week and a half later, airport staff will stage further walkouts at Rome Fiumicino, Pisa and Florence on 13 October, while Swissport Italia ground handlers at Milan Linate are due to strike again on 29 October.

If you’re planning to travel during this period, keep a close eye on updates and consult the Italian transport ministry’s strike calendar for official information.