Italy is set to experience significant disruption to air travel on 26 September as a 24-hour nationwide strike by airline crews, ground staff, and low-cost carriers Volotea and Wizz Air Malta takes place across the country.
The strike, confirmed by aviation unions and airline representatives, will affect operations at major airports including Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa, Venice, and Sardinia’s Cagliari Elmas, with cancellations and delays widely expected. Italy’s civil aviation regulator ENAC has mandated that minimum levels of service must be guaranteed during specific time slots.
The walkout, part of a series of transport strikes scheduled through October, highlights ongoing disputes between workers and operators in Italy’s aviation sector. The strike on 26 September follows recent industrial action in other sectors and precedes a nationwide 24-hour rail strike scheduled for 2–3 October, as well as additional airport staff and public transport strikes later in the month.
Strike Details and Expected Impact
Pilots and cabin crews employed by Volotea and Wizz Air Malta will join the strike for the full 24 hours, while handling staff from companies such as Assohandlers, Aviapartner, GH Italy, and Swissport will stage coordinated stoppages from 10:00 to 14:00 local time. ENAC has confirmed that all flights scheduled between 07:00–10:00 and 18:00–21:00 must be guaranteed, although airports and airlines have warned of disruption outside these hours.
Airport authorities in Venice have advised passengers that flights “may be delayed or cancelled” during the nationwide strike. Notices from Milan’s airports also warn of likely disruption, particularly at Linate and Malpensa, which serve as major hubs for domestic and international travel. Airports in Sardinia, including Cagliari Elmas, are expected to be significantly affected due to the concentration of low-cost carrier services.
Travel industry sources note that airlines may implement rebooking options or cancel flights in advance to manage operational strain. Disruptions are anticipated not only to scheduled services but also to ancillary operations such as baggage handling, security screening, and aircraft turnaround during the handling staff strike period.
Regulatory and Union Positions
Italy’s civil aviation authority has reiterated its requirement for minimum essential services, including guaranteed flight slots in the morning and evening. The regulator confirmed that these measures are intended to safeguard passenger mobility and protect essential travel during periods of industrial action. Airlines are required to comply with these rules but retain discretion in adjusting schedules.
Union representatives argue that the strike is necessary to address longstanding disputes over working conditions, pay, and staffing levels within both full-service and low-cost carriers. The decision to extend participation to ground handling companies underscores the breadth of dissatisfaction across the aviation sector.
Upcoming Rail and Transport Strikes
The disruption to Italy’s air transport network is part of a wider wave of industrial action scheduled for October. A nationwide rail strike is planned from 2 to 3 October, lasting 24 hours and expected to affect both regional and long-distance services. Further airport and public transport walkouts are on the calendar later in the month, including a public transport strike in Rome on 10 October.
These strikes are likely to compound travel difficulties for both domestic and international passengers, particularly in major urban centers and tourist destinations. The combined impact of air, rail, and local transport walkouts underscores the scale of industrial unrest across Italy’s transport sector this autumn.
Travelers are advised to monitor official announcements from ENAC, individual airlines, and airport operators for updates on cancellations and rescheduling. While guaranteed flight slots offer limited protection for passengers, operators caution that staffing shortages may still cause delays to services, even within protected time windows.
The air transport strike on 26 September marks the start of a critical period of disruption in Italy’s travel infrastructure, with multiple transport sectors planning coordinated industrial action into October. The nationwide nature of these walkouts suggests that significant travel delays and cancellations will continue to affect Italy in the weeks ahead.
