Pisa and Florence airports face 24-hour handling strike on 30 October

Disruption overview

Travelers using Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport or Florence Peretola Airport on 30 October 2026 could face delays, cancellations, and baggage disruption during a confirmed 24-hour handling staff strike. Called by USB Lavoro Privato, the action involves staff from Toscana Aeroporti, GH Toscana, and Consulta and replaces a withdrawn strike previously scheduled for 16 October. Flights normally operate during protected periods from 7:00 am to 10:00 am and 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, with ENAC expected to publish guaranteed flights before the stoppage. Compensation is unlikely because the strike is generally outside airlines' control, but you may still have rights to refunds, rebooking, and care.

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Disruption details

A confirmed 24-hour handling staff strike is scheduled at Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport and Florence Peretola Airport in Tuscany, Italy, on Friday 30 October 2026. The stoppage will run from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm and could cause flight delays and some cancellations.

If you're traveling through Pisa or Florence that day, the disruption could affect your journey before you reach the aircraft. Check-in, boarding, baggage handling, and other ground services are expected to be affected, potentially adding longer waits and baggage disruption to your trip.

The action has been called by USB Lavoro Privato and involves employees of Toscana Aeroporti, GH Toscana, and Consulta, the handling companies operating at the 2 airports. The strike was filed with the transport ministry on 12 October 2026.

The expected impact is centered on the airports in Pisa and Florence. Although the strike hasn't started, passengers using either airport on 30 October should be prepared for possible changes to their flight and ground services.

Some flights normally operate during Italy's protected time bands, even when airport staff are on strike. For this stoppage, those periods are:

• Morning: 7:00 am–10:00 am

• Evening: 6:00 pm–9:00 pm

ENAC is expected to publish a list of guaranteed flights before the strike. These protections mean the planned 24-hour stoppage doesn't necessarily mean every flight will be canceled.

The 30 October action replaces an earlier 24-hour strike planned for 16 October 2026. That stoppage was withdrawn on 9 October after the strike guarantee commission intervened.

The dispute reflects ongoing tensions within the airports' handling companies. It has already led to a 4-hour stoppage on 13 September and an overtime ban that ran from 13 September to 12 October.

For passengers, it's important to distinguish this airport handling strike from a strike by an airline's own staff. Compensation under EC 261 is unlikely for disruption caused by this action because airport handling staff strikes are generally considered outside the airline's control.

That doesn't mean you're without support. If your flight is canceled, your airline must offer an alternative flight or a refund if you decide not to travel. During a sufficiently long delay, you may also be entitled to food and refreshments.

If you're away from home and an overnight delay means you need to stay, your airline must offer accommodation and transportation to it. The support you're entitled to depends on your flight and circumstances, so follow your airline's check-in and boarding instructions even if disruption is expected.

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