Italy strike cancels 310 flights as air traffic and ground staff walk out

Disruption overview

An eight-hour national strike in Italy on 11 May 2026 is set to disrupt flights across Rome, Milan, and Naples, with airlines already canceling 310 flights before the stoppage begins. EasyJet has grounded about 180 rotations and ITA Airways has canceled 130 domestic and intra-European flights as air-traffic control staff and airport workers prepare to walk out from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

The action involves ENAV personnel in Rome and staff linked to Rome–Fiumicino, Milan–Linate, and Naples–Capodichino airports. For trips covered by EC 261, compensation is usually unlikely because the disruption sits outside the airlines' control, but affected passengers should still be offered rebooking or refunds, meals and refreshments during long delays, and accommodation if they're stranded overnight.

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Disruption details

Passengers flying in Italy on 11 May 2026 are facing major disruption after a national eight-hour strike by air-traffic control and airport staff led airlines to cancel at least 310 flights. The action is due to run from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm local time and affects services linked to Rome–Fiumicino Airport, Milan–Linate Airport, and Naples–Capodichino Airport.

For passengers, this is likely to mean last-minute schedule changes, longer waits, and a difficult day of rebooking. The national action was confirmed by the air-traffic control union UNICA and several airline ground-staff groups. It involves ENAV area-control center staff in Rome, along with solidarity walkouts by EasyJet cabin crew and ground-handling teams at the three airports. The stoppage was formally notified under Italy's Law 146/1990.

Airlines had already started canceling services before the strike began:

• EasyJet had grounded about 180 rotations by Sunday afternoon, roughly 38% of its Italian program.

• ITA Airways had canceled 130 domestic and intra-European flights.

• Lufthansa, Vueling, and Ryanair warned passengers to expect further knock-on delays as aircraft and crews move out of position during the strike.

That means the confirmed number of canceled flights had already reached 310 before any extra disruption from delays was counted. Those cancellations cover both domestic and short-haul international travel, and delays could continue after the strike window ends if aircraft and crews are left in the wrong place.

Italy's civil aviation regulator ENAC has published a guaranteed-flight list, but it protects only a small network of public-interest links. That includes the Milan–Rome shuttle and a handful of Sardinian territorial-continuity services, so many travelers will still need to rely on rebooking or alternative transport.

Some passengers were already changing plans before Monday morning. Corporate travel managers reported heavy rebooking activity, and Amadeus reservation data showed that more than 60% of seats on Monday's Milan–Rome high-speed trains were sold by Sunday evening as business travelers switched to rail.

The dispute centers on staffing levels and new rostering software at ENAV. EasyJet crews are also demanding a productivity bonus tied to the airline's expansion at Milan-Malpensa. Talks mediated by Italy's Ministry of Transport broke down late on Friday, triggering the mandatory 48-hour confirmation notice for the strike.

There could also be wider concern for travelers later in the month. A separate nationwide ground-handling strike is set for 24 May, which could prolong instability unless a broader labor agreement is reached.

For trips that fall under EC 261, financial compensation is usually not available here because the disruption is being caused by air-navigation and ground-service staff rather than the airlines themselves. Even so, airlines still have to look after affected passengers with care and assistance.

If your flight is canceled, your airline must offer an alternative or a full refund if you no longer want to travel. During longer delays, it should also provide food and refreshments, accommodation and transport if you're stranded overnight, and basic communication support such as phone calls or emails.

Although compensation is unlikely here, that doesn't mean you're without support. Keep checking updates from your airline, watch the ENAC guaranteed-flight list if you're traveling on an essential route, and use AirHelp's free flight checker if you want a simple way to understand your options.

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