On November 28 a national strike is scheduled, called by the unions USB and CUB in protest against the government’s 2026 budget law. The impact will concern both the private and public sectors, and among them the Italian airports, where a significant effect is expected, with the risk of widespread delays and cancellations at airports across the country. It is anticipated that flight crew, baggage handlers, ground staff, and other workers in the airport sector will participate in the protest, making operational disruptions likely. A second strike, which could affect air traffic, has been called by CGIL for December 12 and will last 21 hours.
Are you due to depart exactly on the day of the general strike and worried about being grounded, with the consequent loss of money invested in the flight and your vacation? Don’t panic, there is a European regulation that allows all travelers to protect themselves, but it is wise to know the details to understand how to act in these situations.
How to behave in case of an airport strike
Regarding strikes at airports, first of all it is useful to know that the ENAC (National Civil Aviation Authority) guarantees the operation of scheduled flights within the time windows 07:00–10:00 and 18:00–19:00.
You can consult the list of guaranteed flights published by ENAC, and passengers are also encouraged to check the status of their own flight directly with the airline they are due to fly with.
However, there are other details and rules to know in order to protect yourself in case of an airport strike. Passenger rights are guaranteed under EU Regulation 261 in the event that their flight is affected by a strike.
When is compensation due?
If you are wondering whether passengers have a right to compensation in case of a strike, the answer is: it depends. On what? On who participates in the strike. According to EU Regulation 261, the right to compensation depends on the cause of the disruption. See the cases, also reported by AirAdvisor.
You are entitled to compensation if airline staff participate in the strike. This is an internal strike, meaning the airline is responsible for the availability of its own staff.
Passengers in such a case may be entitled to compensation:
- if the flight is cancelled with short notice (less than 14 days),
or
- if they reach the final destination with a delay exceeding 3 hours.
You do not have a right to compensation if the disruption is caused by airport staff or third parties. In this case these are extraordinary circumstances and compensation from the airline is not provided.
But all is not lost: regardless of the cause, airlines must still guarantee certain protections to passengers. Here they are:
- re-protection on another flight or an alternative itinerary;
- refund of the ticket;
- assistance at the airport (meals, drinks and hotel accommodation if necessary).
In addition, travelers also have the right to reimbursement of all reasonable expenses incurred if the airline does not provide assistance, such as meals, transportation or hotel costs. To obtain it it is essential to keep all receipts.
“Airlines often rely on passengers not knowing the difference between an internal strike and a broader airport disruption – said Anton Radchenko, aviation lawyer and CEO of AirAdvisor. – However, under EU Regulation 261, when a carrier’s own staff participate in a labor action, passengers can still have a clear right to compensation. What matters is the real cause of the delay, not the extent of the strike in progress.”
Advice to passengers
Finally, here are some useful recommendations for travelers to always know how to behave in the event of an airport strike:
- check whether your flight is listed as “guaranteed” on the ENAC site;
- contact the airline in advance to confirm the status of the flight and the options for re-protection;
- keep all receipts related to meals, transportation and accommodation;
- request a written confirmation of the reason for the disruption.
