In February and early March, Italy may experience flight delays and cancellations due to strikes by aviation and related services. Several European media and Italian news agencies warn of the risks to passengers. Find out more about the dates and airports that may be affected

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Travelers planning a trip to Italy in the coming weeks are warned about possible disruptions in the operation of airports and airlines due to planned strikes in the aviation industry. This is reported by the British edition of The Independent, the Italian agency ANSA and the European media Euronews Travel. The protests may affect both airline crews and ground services at key airports in the country.

The situation is complicated by the fact that the strikes are scheduled to take place during a period of high passenger traffic. Some of the protests are scheduled for the days when thousands of tourists travel to Italy on domestic and international flights. Carriers have already warned that passengers should closely monitor the status of their flights and be prepared for changes in the schedule.

Earlier, we reported that railroad sabotage paralyzed transportation in Italy during the 2026 Olympics.

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When and where are airport disruptions possible?

The biggest disruptions in air traffic are expected on February 16, when some aviation workers are planning to strike at several key airports in northern Italy. Both crews and ground services are at risk, which directly affects the timeliness of departures and arrivals.

Briefly on the locations and time windows:

1. Brescia Monticciari, Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa - possible disruptions due to the involvement of ground services and loaders.

2. Some airline employees (including Vueling and easyJet, which are members of the USB union) announced a strike from 13:00 to 17:00, while other easyJet employees and ITA Airways staff announced participation throughout the day.

According to industry estimates, ITA Airways alone has hundreds of scheduled flights on February 16, so even partial disruptions could cause chain delays in the schedule.

March 7 should be taken into account separately: employees of Enav, the company responsible for managing Italy's airspace, are planning protests on this day. This may affect not only domestic but also transit flights through Italian airspace.

Which airlines and flights may be affected?

The flights of the airlines whose employees have announced their participation in the protests may be most affected by the planned strikes. These are primarily Vueling, easyJet, and ITA Airways. These days, passengers should be prepared for delays in departures and arrivals, as well as possible cancellations of certain flights, especially from airports in northern Italy.

According to aviation analysts, only one of the national carriers has hundreds of scheduled flights on the days of the strikes, so even partial participation of staff in the protests could lead to schedule disruptions across the entire route network. The problems could affect not only domestic flights within Italy, but also international flights to other European countries.

Airlines usually notify passengers of schedule changes ahead of strikes via email, SMS or official apps. At the same time, decisions on the possible postponement of protest dates can be made at the last minute, so flight schedules can change just a few days or even hours before departure.

We talked more about the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan in our previous article.

Not only aviation: railroad disruptions are possible

Problems with traveling in Italy may affect not only air travel. At the end of the month, state railroad workers are planning a day-long protest that will potentially affect the movement of regional, high-speed, and intercity trains. For travelers, this means the risk of flight delays or cancellations on popular routes between major cities and tourist regions.

Rail disruptions are especially noticeable for travelers who combine a flight and a subsequent train trip. For example, they arrive in Milan or Rome and then plan to travel to other cities. On strike days, chain delays can lead to disruption of transfers and the need to urgently change the route.

It should be borne in mind that strikes are not uncommon in Italy, and transportation companies usually keep the minimum guaranteed number of flights. However, even partial restrictions on the railroad can create significant difficulties for tourists during peak travel periods.

What should tourists do to minimize risks?

During the strikes in Italy, it is worth checking the status of your flight or train in advance and following updates from the carrier. Even if the flight or trip is confirmed, the schedule may change at the last minute, so it is better to allow extra time for transfers and travel to the airport or train station.

If you have connections or important events planned immediately after arrival, it is advisable to have a backup plan: an alternative flight, another mode of transportation, or the possibility of spending the night in the city of arrival. On strike days, you should also keep all tickets and booking confirmations so that in case of cancellation or delay, you can re-book your trip or request compensation as quickly as possible.

Are you planning a trip to a major sporting event or just traveling around Europe?

Unpredictable situations, such as transportation disruptions due to extraordinary circumstances, can disrupt your plans. Travel medical insurance from Visit World will give you peace of mind and financial protection in any country in the world.

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Reminder! In February, Italy is facing serious transport disruptions due to a wave of strikes in key sectors. The restrictions may affect air, rail, port, and urban transport, making it difficult to travel around the country. For more information about transport strikes in Italy in 2026 and the dates that are most risky for travel, click here.

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in Italy;

Legal advice on immigration to Italy;

Travel insurance for foreigners in Italy;

Medical insurance all over the world.

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