- Flight Disruptions
- Italy airport strikes on 5 July could disrupt flights at Malpensa, Rome, and Catania
Italy airport strikes on 5 July could disrupt flights at Malpensa, Rome, and Catania
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Eligible for compensation
Checked by Matteo Floris
Last updated on June 30, 2026
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Affected airports
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Affected airlines
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Affected airports
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Affected airlines
Disruption overview
A wave of strikes is set to disrupt flights across Italy on 5 July 2026, with 24-hour walkouts affecting easyJet cabin crew, Enav staff at Milan Malpensa Airport, and companies across the airport and ground-handling sector. Additional stoppages are planned at Rome Fiumicino Airport, Rome Ciampino Airport, and Catania Fontanarossa Airport, raising the risk of delays and cancellations across the network. If your disruption is linked to an airline’s own staff, such as easyJet cabin crew, you may be entitled to up to $650 compensation under EC 261, while disruption caused by air traffic control or security action is less likely to qualify.
Passengers affected by this flight disruption may be eligible for compensation of up to $650 under passenger rights regulations.
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Disruption details
Flights across Italy are set for major disruption on Sunday, 5 July 2026, as a wave of strikes hits the country’s aviation network. The heaviest pressure is expected at Milan Malpensa Airport, Rome Fiumicino Airport, Rome Ciampino Airport, and Catania Fontanarossa Airport.
For passengers, this could mean canceled flights, delays, and longer waits at the airport. easyJet is among the airlines directly affected, while walkouts involving air traffic control, security, and ground-handling staff are expected to add pressure across the network.
Several of the actions are planned to last the full day. Enav staff at Milan Malpensa Airport are scheduled to stop work for 24 hours on 5 July 2026. easyJet cabin crew have also called a nationwide 24-hour strike, and companies across the airport, airline, and ground-handling sector, whether or not they are linked to Assohandlers, are expected to join a separate nationwide 24-hour stoppage.
Other walkouts on 5 July are due to overlap with the all-day strikes:
ADR Security staff at Rome Fiumicino Airport and Rome Ciampino Airport plan an 8-hour strike from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
A second group of Enav controllers at Milan Malpensa Airport is due to stop work from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
FedEx staff at Milan Malpensa Airport are set to strike from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
ASC Handling staff at Catania Fontanarossa Airport are also due to stop work from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
With national and airport-specific action happening at the same time, disruption is likely to spread beyond the airports directly named in the strikes. Flights touching Milan, Rome, and Catania look especially exposed, and delays in one part of the system can quickly affect aircraft, crews, and onward connections elsewhere in Italy.
The industrial action is part of a wider month of transport strikes in Italy. Further stoppages are listed for 6 July and 7 July, another 24-hour airport strike is planned at Malpensa on 21 July, and broader rail and local transport action is scheduled for 23 July and 24 July. Even when those later strikes do not target airlines directly, they can still make journeys harder for passengers with connecting plans.
If you’re due to fly on 5 July, it’s worth checking updates from your airline and airport regularly before you leave for the terminal. When several unions and staff groups stop work at once, schedules can change quickly, even for flights that were originally expected to operate.
Your rights will depend on what caused your specific disruption. If your flight was delayed by more than 3 hours or canceled because of the easyJet cabin crew strike, you may be covered by EC 261 and could be entitled to up to $650 compensation. If the problem was caused by air traffic control or security staff stopping work, compensation is less likely because that sits outside the airline’s control.
Even then, you should still be offered support if your journey is heavily disrupted. That can include rerouting or a refund, food and refreshments during longer waits, and accommodation if you’re stranded overnight. If your flight is affected, you can check your compensation with AirHelp in just 2 minutes using our free flight checker.
Know your rights
These are your air passenger rights
When your flight's disrupted, you may be entitled to various forms of care and compensation under EC 261 and other applicable laws.
Up to $650 compensation
Passengers whose flights were canceled or delayed over 3 hours may be entitled to financial compensation ranging up to $650 compensation per person. Check your flight.
Rerouting or refund
If your flight is canceled, your airline must provide an alternative. You may also get a full refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Care and assistance
Your airline must provide food and refreshments if your journey is delayed more than a few hours.
Accommodation
If you are away from home and your journey is delayed overnight, the airline must offer you accommodation and transportation to it.
Communication
Under EC 261 you are entitled to 2 phone calls or emails if your journey is delayed over 1 hour.
This advice is provided to help you if your flight is delayed or canceled. However, the exact care and compensation you are entitled to will depend on your specific circumstances and flight. Always follow the directions of your airline, particularly with regard to check-in and boarding times.
Quick facts
Summary
Disruption
Delays and Cancellations
Cause
Airline strike
Status
Future – confirmed disruption
Compensation
Could be eligible for up to $650 compensation
Airlines affected
Easyjet, Fedex
Airports affected
Milano Malpensa Airport, Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome Ciampino Airport, Fontanarossa Airport
Cities affected
Milan, Rome, Catania
Countries affected
Italy
Start date
2026-07-05
End date
2026-07-05
Checked by
Matteo Floris
Date updated
June 30, 2026
What to do if your flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked
If you're traveling to, from, or within the European Union, here's what you should do when you experience a disruption.
Gather evidence that your flight was delayed, canceled, or overbooked.
Get the airline to provide written confirmation of the disruption and the reason behind it.
Request an alternative flight to your destination — or a refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Make a note of the arrival time at your final destination.
Ask the airline to provide vouchers for meals and refreshments.
Avoid signing documents or accepting offers that may waive your passenger rights.
If an overnight stay is required, ask the airline to provide accommodation.
Save receipts for any additional expenses caused by the disruption.
