### Air Travel Chaos Likely on Friday as Italian Aviation Strike Threatens easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air Flights
Passengers with travel plans involving Italy are being urged to brace themselves for widespread disruption on Friday, 9 May, as a major national aviation strike is set to take place. The industrial action, scheduled for the afternoon hours between 1pm and 5pm local time, involves ground handling staff belonging to the Assohandlers association. These personnel provide crucial services for airlines including easyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air, among others.
The anticipated strike is expected to have a significant impact across Italy’s major airports, affecting both arrivals and departures. Passengers could face delays at various points in their journeys, including check-in processes and baggage retrieval. Aside from ground staff, the walkout is set to include Swissport Italy employees at Milan’s Linate airport, as well as workers from Aviation Services at Venice’s Marco Polo hub. With strikes planned at multiple hubs, the effect on the national aviation system could be severe and far-reaching.
Travellers heading to or from the United Kingdom have been put on high alert. Popular routes between Italy and key British airports—such as London Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Luton, London City, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, and East Midlands—may face severe delays or cancellations. This means not only those starting or ending their trips in the UK are at risk, but also individuals with connecting flights through Italy may find their plans thrown into turmoil.
Compounding the situation, a general transport strike has also been announced in Italy for the same timeframe. This broader action has the potential to affect other modes of transport, with possible knock-on effects leading to particularly challenging days for both domestic and international travellers. While unpredictable by nature and occasionally subject to last-minute cancellation or modification, such strikes have in the past brought major transport networks to a standstill.
Airline officials and industry specialists have urged passengers to remain vigilant and closely monitor the latest updates from their airlines and local airport authorities. “Given that the strike is scheduled during peak afternoon hours on a Friday, it’s likely to cause significant disruption, especially for those with connecting flights or time-sensitive plans,” said Ivaylo Danailov, CEO of compensation firm SkyRefund. He noted that support staff striking can bring everything from baggage handling to boarding to a halt, resulting in extended wait times and operational bottlenecks.
Even though the industrial action is planned for just four hours, the lasting effects may resonate far beyond the scheduled window. Airport operations are interdependent, and a relatively short disruption can easily have a cascade effect, resulting in evening delays and logistical headaches that persist into following days. As a result, passengers may face long waits at check-in counters and boarding gates even several hours after the strike has concluded.
Passengers whose flights experience significant delays may be entitled to financial compensation, but certain conditions apply. Under European Union Regulation 261/2004, travellers whose flights arrive at their destination at least three hours late due to reasons within the airline’s control could claim between €250 and €600, depending on the length of the flight and the extent of the delay. If a delay exceeds five hours, affected customers have the right to request a full refund if they decide not to travel.
Even in instances where no financial compensation is due, airlines are obliged to provide practical support for passengers during extended disruptions. This “Right to Care” includes supplying food, drinks, and, if necessary, hotel accommodation in the case of overnight delays. Such provisions offer some respite, but many will view the risk of travel interruptions as a considerable inconvenience, particularly as families and business travellers alike may find their plans derailed at short notice.
As the strike approaches, uncertainty remains. Labour actions in Italy have occasionally been suspended or curtailed just before they are due to start, but authorities are warning that the possibility of serious disruption is very real. Officials encourage everyone due to fly on 9 May to double-check their flight status and have backup plans in place where possible.
The news serves as a stark reminder for travellers of the complex and sometimes fragile systems underpinning modern aviation. As Friday draws closer, all eyes will be on Italy’s airports – and those hoping for smooth journeys will be watching developments closely.