Nation-wide airline and airport strikes on Thursday 9 January are expected to cause major disruption to travel across Italy.
Multiple unions representing airport ground-handling staff and airline crews have announced overlapping strike action that will affect most major Italian airports.
The most significant impact is expected from workers affiliated with Assohandlers, who plan a four-hour national walk-out from 13:00 to 17:00. Assohandlers staff provide essential services including baggage handling, aircraft guidance and ramp operations at airports such as Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Bologna and Turin. Airlines have warned that the stoppage could trigger widespread delays and missed connections.
Disruption at Milan’s airports is likely to be more severe. Employees of Swissport Italia and Airport Handling at both Linate and Malpensa have called 24-hour strikes, raising the risk of outright cancellations for early-morning and late-evening flights.
Low-cost airlines will also be affected. easyJet’s Italy-based pilots and cabin crew have announced a 24-hour strike, while Spanish carrier Vueling plans to suspend operations between 10:00 and 18:00. The combined action threatens dozens of short-haul European flights that carry business passengers into Italy’s main commercial centres.
Passengers booked on affected flights are being advised to check airline communications closely. Many carriers are offering free rebooking or refunds. Travel experts recommend switching to rail for short domestic journeys where possible.
More strikes planned later in January
Although Italian law requires operators to maintain minimum services during strikes, past experience suggests that timetables can quickly break down when multiple unions strike simultaneously. Ground-handling delays often extend to immigration, with arriving passengers forced to wait on aircraft for steps or buses.
Further disruption is expected later in the month. Rail and metro unions have scheduled strike action between 12 and 15 January, while taxi drivers have threatened a 24-hour national strike on 13 January. Businesses are being encouraged to monitor developments closely and keep traveller tracking systems up to date.
