Travelers planning trips to Italy have been warned to expect potential flight disruptions as aviation workers prepare strike action on February 16, less than a week before the Winter Olympics are set to conclude.
Pilots, cabin crew, and ground personnel have announced plans to take part in coordinated walkouts that could trigger delays and cancellations across multiple airlines and airports, particularly in northern Italy.
easyJet, Vueling, and ITA Airways among those affected
According to the strike notices, workers from Vueling and easyJet who are represented by the USB union are expected to walk out from 13:00 to 17:00.
At the same time, other easyJet employees, along with staff from ITA Airways, are planning to participate in a full-day strike, which could create broader disruption across domestic and European routes.
Industry data from analytics company Cirium indicates that ITA Airways alone has 314 flights scheduled for February 16, highlighting the scale of potential impact if large numbers of staff join the action.
Ground operations in Milan and Brescia may also be disrupted
The strike may not be limited to airline crews. Reports suggest that ground services and baggage handlers could also participate at several airports, including:
- Brescia Montichiari
- Milan Linate
- Milan Malpensa
If airport handling services are affected, disruption could extend beyond the airlines directly involved, causing delays even for carriers not formally included in the strike.
Another major strike threat is already scheduled for March 7
A second wave of aviation disruption is also being discussed for March 7, when workers from Enav, the company responsible for managing Italy’s airspace, are reportedly planning strike action.
If Enav staff walk out, the impact could be far wider than airline-specific strikes, potentially affecting flights across the entire country.
Italian authorities push for a date change – but no deal yet
Negotiations are currently underway with Italy’s government strike commission, which has urged unions to reconsider the February 16 date in order to protect transport stability during the Winter Olympics period.
However, no agreement has been reached so far, and travelers are being advised to monitor airline updates closely as the strike date approaches.
