Widespread Disruption as Aviation Workers Strike
Italy experienced widespread travel disruption on Thursday, February 26, 2026, as a 24-hour nationwide aviation strike led to the cancellation and delay of hundreds of flights. The industrial action, which ran from 12:01 AM to 11:59 PM local time, impacted major airports and airlines across the country, affecting tens of thousands of passengers.
Initial estimates indicated that roughly 300 flights were canceled, with some reports suggesting over 750 flights were either scrapped or severely delayed. Italian flag carrier ITA Airways was particularly hard hit, canceling approximately 55% of its scheduled flights for the day, amounting to between 250 and 300 flights. Other major European carriers, including easyJet, Ryanair, and Vueling, also faced significant operational challenges.
Key Airports and Personnel Affected
The strike involved a broad spectrum of aviation personnel, including ground handling crews, check-in staff, airline employees, pilots, and cabin crew. However, air traffic controllers were not part of this specific strike, allowing over-flights across Italian airspace to operate normally.
Major Italian airports bore the brunt of the disruption, with significant impact reported at:
- Rome Fiumicino (FCO)
- Milan Malpensa (MXP)
- Milan Linate (LIN)
- Venice Marco Polo (VCE)
- Naples Capodichino (NAP)
- Verona Valerio Catullo (VRN)
Under Italian strike legislation, certain 'protected' services were maintained during peak hours, specifically from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM local time, as well as for long-haul and island routes.
Roots of the Industrial Action
The strike was a culmination of long-running labor disputes over the renewal of the national collective contract for aviation and ground-handling workers, which expired in December 2024. Unions are advocating for pay increases to match inflation and seeking clearer guarantees regarding working hours and staffing levels. They argue that the post-pandemic recovery and increased passenger demand have not translated into fairer conditions for frontline staff.
This industrial action was originally scheduled for February 16 but was postponed by the Italian government to avoid impacting the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. The disruption from the aviation strike was further compounded by a separate national rail strike planned from February 27 into February 28, creating a challenging travel period across Italy. Travelers are also advised of another aviation strike scheduled for March 7, which will involve air traffic controllers at Rome Fiumicino.
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