Brits warned of travel disruption as Italy strike action looms
Unions plan 24-hour walkouts at major Italian hubs, with baggage handlers, security staff and service firms affected; France ATC strikes rescheduled for October
Brits warned of disruption as workers in Italy plan a 24-hour strike that could affect air travel on Friday, September 26. Unions say baggage handlers, crew and ground staff will walk out over working conditions, pay and staffing levels at multiple Italian hubs. The action could affect more than 100 flights and up to 20,000 travelers between Britain and Italy, with knock-on delays expected in the days that follow.
Organisers from CUB Trasporti have called for a national strike, with baggage handlers, crew and ground staff at major airports walking out for 24 hours. Workers from other companies, including Wizz Air and Volotea, are also planning to strike on the same day. At Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa, staff are set to strike for four hours. Cagliari Elmas Airport's security personnel will also walk out, according to Metro, while Assohandlers workers serving airlines such as easyJet and Ryanair are set to strike at various airports, according to the Italian transport ministry.
Officials warned the disruption could ground or delay hundreds of flights and disrupt thousands of travelers between the UK and Italy. Ryanair said it would continue to operate a full schedule and did not expect disruption on its services in September. Italian law requires minimum service levels to protect flights within certain time slots, but organizers cautioned that the strikes could still cause significant delays and cancellations.
Consumer rights expert Ivalyo Danailov told Daily Mail readers that even one-day disruptions can cause knock-on delays in the days that follow, and that airlines could be liable for compensation if disruption is caused by the employees’ strike. He noted there are around 100 daily flights between Italy and the UK, and even a single day of disruption can cascade into broader delays. He added that when disruptions are due to airline staff actions, compensation may be possible, but strikes by airport staff are typically considered extraordinary circumstances and often fall outside an airline’s obligation to pay.
The action comes as France’s suspended air traffic control strikes were rescheduled to a new date this year. The SNCTA union originally planned to strike on Sept. 18 for 24 hours, but the action has now been moved to October 2025, according to the Independent.