Anyone flying to or from Italy today or tomorrow may see their travel plans scuppered as multiple airlines will be affected by strike action from Italian baggage handlers. Ryanair,  easyJet, Wizz Air,  British Airways and TUI could see their travel plans severely disrupted by multiple air transport strikes today as a 24-hour strike impacts Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa and Venice Marco Polo, as well as at other airports across Italy.

Action by ground airport workers is also expected at Cagliari Elmas and Naples Capodichino. The strikes are likely to cause flight delays or cancellations, as well as delays in ground operations, including passenger check-in and baggage drop-off or collection services. Under Italian air transport laws, flights scheduled to depart between 6am and 9am and between 6pm and 9pm are protected from strike action and should run as planned on Thursday.

The issues will roll over to Friday as a 24 hour strike has been called at Palermo Airport.

Passengers flying to or from the Sicilian capital may experience delays or cancellations as staff at Gesap, which manages aviation services at the city’s Falcone Borsellino Airport, plan to hold a 24-hour walkout.

If your travel plans have been spoiled by the strike action, it’s important to know what you are entitled to.

Ivaylo Danailov, CEO of airline compensation specialists SkyRefund, said: “While compensation may not be payable for delays caused by strikes involving airport staff or air traffic control — as these are generally considered ‘extraordinary circumstances’ — passengers flying with EasyJet or other EU carriers may still have rights to re-routing, meals, accommodation, and transport while they wait. 

“It’s also worth noting that flights scheduled during protected hours in Italy (6am–9am and 6pm–9pm) should operate as planned, and any disruption outside of these time frames should still be monitored closely.

“Travellers should check with their airline and retain receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses they incur due to disruption.”

However, compensation is not guaranteed.

He said: “With regard to the strike by EasyJet’s pilots and cabin crew, passengers may be entitled to compensation of €250–€600, depending on flight distance, unless EasyJet can prove that it took all reasonable measures to avoid the disruption.

“The European Court of Justice has previously ruled that strikes by airline staff are not automatically considered extraordinary, so each case must be assessed individually.”