On September 30, 2026, Italy’s national air navigation provider ENAV and its subsidiary Techno Sky initiated a strike from 1pm to 5pm local time, involving airport and air traffic control staff. This industrial action has caused widespread flight cancellations and delays throughout Italy.
Airports Affected and Flight Protections
The strike impacts flight operations at multiple Italian airports, including Milan Linate, Naples, Bologna, and Bari, where separate local strikes are also scheduled. Italy’s civil aviation authority released a list of guaranteed flights with protected operating periods from 7am to 10am and from 6pm to 9pm. Despite these protections, delays are expected to extend beyond the strike
window due to subsequent network knock-on effects affecting Italy’s entire flight system.
Additional Recent Disruptions in Italy
Earlier in the week, Catania Airport in Sicily resumed operations on Tuesday following a three-day closure triggered by volcanic ash from Mount Etna. These environmental impacts caused flight diversions and disruptions to Sicilian routes. Meanwhile, the rollout of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System at major European hubs has further caused passenger processing delays, adding to the operational challenges at Italian airports.
European-Wide Context of Industrial Actions
Italy’s strike occurs amid broader travel disruptions across Europe. Other countries such as France and the UK are experiencing related industrial actions affecting air travel. Additionally, Portuguese
easyJet crew strikes are planned, compounding the challenges faced by airlines and airports in maintaining scheduled operations.
Traveler and Flight Impacts on September 30, 2026
The strike and recent disruptions have led to flight cancellations and delays throughout Italy today. Travelers operating through the affected airports should anticipate delays exceeding the formal strike hours due to the interconnected nature of European air traffic. Flight diversions remain a possibility on Sicilian routes impacted by prior volcanic ash disruptions.
