In Italy, coordinated strikes at air traffic control and the airline EasyJet took place on Monday, disrupting air traffic in parts of the country. The strike action focused primarily on the control centers in Rome and Naples and was scheduled to last between 10:00 a.m. and 18:00 p.m.
Despite the announcements, the overall impact remained manageable, according to the operators of Rome’s airports. By the afternoon, approximately 160 flight cancellations had been recorded nationwide, with only isolated disruptions to operations at the Fiumicino hub and Ciampino airport largely operating as scheduled.
The national airline ITA Airways was particularly affected, having previously announced the cancellation of approximately 38 percent of its daily flights. This impacted both domestic and international routes, including key business travel connections such as the Frankfurt-Rome route. The strikes stem from stalled negotiations regarding the renewal of collective bargaining agreements for ground staff and air traffic controllers. The unions are demanding an adjustment of wages to reflect the increased cost of living, as well as improvements to working conditions for shift workers.
The low-cost carrier EasyJet announced that the impact on the German market remained minimal. Only a few flights from Munich and Frankfurt to the Italian capital had to be cancelled. Passengers were advised to check their flight status digitally before traveling to the airport to avoid unnecessary waiting times in the terminals. Since Italy mandates minimum service levels in air transport, guaranteed flight slots in the early morning and evening had to be maintained, which prevented a complete shutdown of air traffic.
In addition to the central actions of air traffic control provider Enav, several regional airports saw short-term protests by local ground handling services. Industry experts are observing an increasing willingness to strike in southern European airspace, as rising passenger demand is pushing staff to their limits. While the current wave of strikes ended on Monday evening, further rounds of negotiations between the social partners are pending to avert longer-term disruptions during the upcoming peak travel season.