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Major Nationwide Strike in Italy This Friday: What Travellers Need to Know
Italy will face significant disruption on Friday November 28th as the country braces for the first of two nationwide general strikes organised in protest of the government’s newly announced 2026 budget. The strike, called by the USB and CUB unions, will affect both public and private sectors and is expected to cause widespread flight disruptions at airports across Italy.
Air Travel Expected to Be Significantly Affected
Flights at Italy’s airports are likely to experience heavy disruptions. Flight crews, baggage handlers, airport ground staff and other aviation service workers are expected to participate in the strike, making flight cancellations and delays likely at major Italian airports.
According to ENAC, Italy’s civil aviation authority, flights scheduled between 07:00–10:00 and 18:00–19:00 must still operate, even during a strike. A full list of protected flights is available on ENAC’s website, and if you’re travelling on Friday you should check to see whether your flight is included.
Will Passengers Be Entitled to Compensation?
It depends on the situation.
If your flight is disrupted because the airline’s flight crew took part in the strike then you could get compensation. EU261 rules generally consider this to be an internal strike, and airlines are responsible for staff availability. In these cases, you could receive compensation if you arrive more than 3 hours late at your final destination or if your flight is cancelled at short notice.
On the other hand, if the delay or cancellation results from airport workers, ground handlers, or other third-party staff, then it will count as an extraordinary circumstance, meaning compensation would not apply.
Either way, airlines must still offer:
- Rerouting,
- Refunds, and
- Care at the airport, such as meals and overnight accommodation where required
Regardless of compensation eligibility, you are always entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred because of the flight disruption, including the cost of meals, refreshments, hotels, and transport if the airline fails to provide these things.
Airlines often hope passengers won’t know the difference between an internal strike and wider airport disruption, says Anton Radchenko, aviation lawyer and founder of AirAdvisor. But under EU261, when an airline’s own crew takes part in industrial action, passengers may still have a clear right to compensation. What matters is the true cause of the delay, not the size of the strike happening around it.
A Second National Strike Scheduled for 12 December
Another nationwide strike has been announced by Italy’s largest union, CGIL, for 12 December. This strike is expected to last 21 hours, from shortly after midnight on 11 December until 21:00 on 12 December, and is also likely to affect air travel.
What You Should Do if You Plan to Fly on Friday
If you have a flight on Friday that involves airlines or airports in Italy, you should:
- Check whether your flight is listed as guaranteed on ENAC’s official website.
- Contact your airline as early as possible to confirm the status of your flight and rebooking options.
- Keep every receipt for meals, transport, accommodation or essentials purchased if you have a delay or cancellation and you’re stuck waiting at the airport.
- Ask the airline for written confirmation of the disruption and, if possible, the reason for it. This will determine your rights under EU261.
If you’ve already been affected by a delay, cancellation, or missed connection, use our compensation calculator to see if your flight is eligible.
Author:
Joanna Teljeur
Job/Position: Senior Editor & Content Lead
Joanna Teljeur is a senior editor and writer with 15+ years of experience in editorial leadership, journalism, and content development, specialising in consumer rights, aviation law, and public-interest reporting. Her work focuses on transforming complex regulatory and legal topics into clear, accurate, and accessible content for international audiences.
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