Thursday, June 19, 2025
In Italy, the ongoing nationwide general strike has led to significant disruptions in air travel, with several major airlines canceling or delaying flights due to strike action by airport workers, including baggage handlers and ground staff. The strike, which affects key Italian airports like Rome Fiumicino (FCO), Milan Malpensa (MXP), and others, is part of a broader protest against wage stagnation, labor reforms, and government spending priorities.
| Flight No. | Airline | Departure Airport | Arrival Airport | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI138 | Air India | Indira Gandhi International (DEL) | Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino (FCO) | On Time |
| QR5 | Qatar Airways | Hamad International (DOH) | Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino (FCO) | On Time |
| QR638 | Qatar Airways | Hamad International (DOH) | Malpensa International (MXP) | On Time |
| EZY3516 | easyJet | Casale Airport (BDS) | Malpensa International (MXP) | On Time |
| EZY4119 | easyJet | Naples International (NAP) | Malpensa International (MXP) | On Time |
| EZY3575 | easyJet | Catania–Fontanarossa (CTA) | Malpensa International (MXP) | On Time |
| IBE982 | Iberia | Naples International (NAP) | Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD) | On Time |
1. ITA Airways
Cancellations: ITA Airways, Italy’s flagship carrier, has been particularly affected, with 34 domestic and international flights canceled, including crucial connections between London, Rome, and Milan. These cancellations are a direct result of the strike action impacting airport operations, including the work of ground staff and baggage handlers. Passengers are advised to check with ITA Airways for updates on rebooking and compensation options.
Reason: The disruption in services is primarily due to the strike action taken by airport workers, which has severely affected the airline’s ability to operate these flights smoothly. The situation has been exacerbated by the challenges in handling the increased passenger load during peak travel times.
| Flight Number | Route (Departure → Arrival) | Status | Scheduled Departure Time (UTC) | Actual Departure Time (UTC) | Arrival Airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZ317 | Paris Charles de Gaulle → Rome Fiumicino | Canceled | 04:20 | N/A | FCO |
| AZ1722 | Catania → Rome Fiumicino | Canceled | 04:10 | N/A | FCO |
| AZ1268 | Naples → Rome Fiumicino | Canceled | 04:45 | N/A | FCO |
| AZ2013 | Milan Linate → Rome Fiumicino | Canceled | 05:10 | N/A | FCO |
| AZ1746 | Milan Linate → Catania | Canceled | 05:05 | N/A | CTA |
| AZ1619 | Rome Fiumicino → Brindisi | Canceled | 11:30 | N/A | BDS |
2. Flydubai
Cancellations: Flydubai, a popular budget carrier flying to and from Italy, has also been affected by the strike. Several flights to major Italian airports, including Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino, have been canceled or delayed.
Reason: The primary reason behind these cancellations is operational challenges caused by the strike affecting critical ground services at the airports. The lack of ground handling staff and other support services has caused delays and disrupted flight schedules for Flydubai.
3. Lufthansa
Cancellations: Lufthansa, one of the largest European carriers, has canceled several flights to and from Italy, particularly affecting connections between Munich and Frankfurt with Italian destinations.
Reason: These cancellations are the result of disruptions in ground handling services at Italian airports. The strike has impacted key operations like baggage handling, check-in processes, and boarding, all of which are essential for timely departures and arrivals.
4. KLM
Cancellations: KLM, the national airline of the Netherlands, has faced cancellations on flights to and from Milan and Rome. Affected flights include several European connections, with many passengers experiencing delays as a result of the ongoing labor unrest.
Reason: The strike-induced disruptions in ground operations have caused delays in both check-in and boarding processes at Milan and Rome airports. KLM has advised passengers to monitor flight statuses and be prepared for extended delays due to these operational challenges.
5. Ryanair
Cancellations: Ryanair, Europe’s leading low-cost airline, has been hit hard by the ongoing strike, resulting in multiple cancellations of flights to and from major Italian destinations such as Rome and Milan.
Reason: The nationwide strike in Italy has affected airport services, leading to operational inefficiencies that have caused flights to be canceled or delayed. Ryanair, which operates a high volume of short-haul flights in Europe, has been particularly vulnerable to such disruptions, as its flights are highly dependent on smooth ground handling operations.
