Weekend Air Strike Chaos Threatens Thousands of European Travelers\’ Holiday Plans

Italy Faces Extensive Airport Strikes on Saturday

On Saturday, major Italian airports will experience widespread strikes that are set to disrupt travel for numerous carriers. Key airlines which will be affected include:

• Ryanair – One of Europe’s largest low‑cost operators.
• EasyJet – A prominent British airline with heavy presence in Italy.
• Volotea – The Spanish low‑cost carrier that serves many Italian gateways.
• Wizz Air – A Hungarian budget airline operating across the country.
• Additional carriers operating within the country will also encounter delays or cancellations.

Passengers are advised to check their flight status and be prepared for potential changes. The strikes are expected to last several hours, impacting both arrivals and departures at all participating airports.

Italian Airport Employees Plan Nationwide Strike

Passengers planning trips over the July 26 holiday weekend may face significant disruptions as airport staff across Italy announce a four‑hour strike. The walkout is expected to cause multiple flight delays and cancellations nationwide.

Reasons Behind the Action

• Safety Enhancements – Workers insist on better safety protocols.
• Improved Working Conditions – Calls for more supportive work environments.
• Work‑Life Balance – A push for schedules that allow personal time.
• Contract Renewal – Demand for fresh national agreements.

Broader European Impact

Similar strikes are underway at airports in Spain and Portugal, which could compound travel chaos within the region.

What Travelers Should Do

• Check flight status regularly.
• Consider alternative travel dates.
• Use airline customer service lines for updates.

Where will flights be affected by strikes?

Italian Labor Disruptions Threaten Major Airlines

Ground staff, baggage handlers, and airport workers plan a nationwide walk‑out from 1 pm to 5 pm on Saturday, leaving major carriers such as EasyJet, Ryanair, British Airways, Wizz Air, Tui, Volotea, and ITA Airways in the lurch.

Key Airports Targets

• Milan Malpensa
• Milan Linate
• Rome Fiumicino
• Florence
• Naples
• Venice (Marco Polo)

Milan Linate will also see a strike among Swissport gate services and check‑in staff.

Impact on Flight Operations

Earlier this month, a similar strike caused 73 flights to be cancelled in a single day across the nation, affecting departures and arrivals at Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa, Venice Marco Polo, and Naples.

Spill‑over to Spain

Spanish budget carrier Volotea is scheduled to strike its crew and pilots on the same Saturday, potentially widening the impact on crucial European air routes. With flights to more than 100 cities, the disruption could reverberate across the continent.

Portugal Faces Its Own Strike Surge

Workers from the former Groundforce, now Menzies Aviation, plan to strike during the last weekend of July and the final four weekends of August. The protests will hit Lisbon Airport with particular severity.

Strike Schedule for Menzies (formerly Groundforce)

• Start: 26 July, midnight
• End: 29 July, midnight
• Repeated weekends in August: 8–11, 15–18, 22–25, and 29 August–1 September

The planned stoppages could severely affect traffic at major hubs throughout Portugal, especially Lisbon.

What can travellers do?

Preparing for Upcoming Italian Airport Strikes

While the anticipated strikes may cause travel disruptions, passengers can take several measures to stay well‑informed and ready.

Stay Updated

• Check the Italian Ministry of Transport’s official website for confirmed strike schedules.
• Contact airlines and airports directly for the latest operational changes.
• Verify your flight status before heading to the airport.

Plan for Peak Times

If you cannot adjust your itinerary around strike dates, consider:

• Traveling during off‑peak hours to reduce congestion.
• Arriving at the airport well in advance of your departure time.

Minimum Service Regulations

Italian law mandates minimum service levels during strike action, ensuring certain flights proceed normally. Typically, flights scheduled between 7 AM and 10 AM and 6 PM and 9 PM are exempt from strike impacts.

Guaranteed Flights List

The ENAC publishes a list of guaranteed flights; travellers can consult this to re‑book alternatives. Flights to and from islands such as Sardinia, Sicily, and Lampedusa are often excluded from strikes.

Potential Compensation

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, disruptions caused by an airline’s employee actions—like the planned Volotea staff strike—may qualify passengers for compensation. According to Darina Kovacheva, head of Legal at SkyRefund, affected Volotea customers might receive compensation ranging from £250–£520 (€286.9–€453.2), depending on flight distance.