Over 160 Flights Disrupted Across Italy as Nationwide Transport Strike Grounds Major Airlines
Italy’s air transport sector plunged into disarray on June 20, 2025, as a nationwide strike disrupted travel across four of the country’s major airports—Milan Malpensa, Venice Marco Polo, Pisa Galileo Galilei, and Florence Amerigo Vespucci—leading to over 160 flight cancellations and delays. The protest, called by several grassroots unions, triggered widespread walkouts by airport ground staff, baggage handlers, and air traffic support teams, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at the start of the summer holiday season.
Major airlines affected include Air France, Lufthansa, United Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, SAS, Ryanair, and easyJet, with repercussions felt on both short-haul European routes and long-haul transatlantic operations.
Milan Malpensa Suffers Highest Disruption
Milan Malpensa International Airport (MXP) experienced the most severe operational breakdown, recording 31 flight cancellations and 58 delays. The disruptions spanned a wide range of airlines, with Ryanair cancelling 10 flights, Austrian Airlines slashing 40% of its services, and Air France, Lufthansa, and United Airlines experiencing multiple cancellations and delays.
easyJet, a major operator at Malpensa, saw 34 of its flights delayed, representing nearly a quarter of its daily schedule from the airport. American Airlines, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, and Etihad also faced significant service delays.
Venice Marco Polo Airport Hit by Dual Disruptions
Venice’s Marco Polo Airport (VCE) faced 19 cancellations and 15 delays, compounding travel woes for passengers en route to one of Italy’s top tourist destinations. Striking ground staff particularly disrupted operations for Ryanair (8 cancelled flights), Air France (4), and KLM (3).
Long-haul carriers including United Airlines, Delta, Turkish Airlines, and Qatar Airways also experienced delays of up to 50% of their scheduled departures, severely affecting transit into northeastern Italy during peak travel periods.
Pisa and Florence Airports Report Grounded Flights
Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport (PSA), another major gateway into Tuscany, recorded 14 flight cancellations—all from Ryanair—and 12 delays affecting Aer Lingus, Jet2, Norwegian, and easyJet.
Meanwhile, Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR), although smaller in scale, reported 10 cancellations and 5 delays, impacting operations of Vueling, Helvetic, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, SAS, and Swiss.
ENAC Issues Alert; ITA Airways Cancels 34 Flights
Italy’s civil aviation authority ENAC issued a public alert, reminding travelers of the country’s protected flight windows during strikes (07:00–10:00 and 18:00–21:00), in accordance with national labor law. Flights scheduled during these periods were largely honored, but those outside were subject to cancellation or extensive delays.
National carrier ITA Airways cancelled 34 flights, including key international connections between Rome, Milan, and cities such as London. Passengers were advised to monitor flight statuses and expect delays well into the evening.
Rail and Public Transport Also Paralyzed
The strike extended far beyond the skies. Italy’s primary rail operator FS Italiane was also hit, with Frecce, Intercity, and regional trains experiencing mass cancellations. At Milan Centrale, Naples, and Rome Termini, travelers described chaotic scenes as platforms filled with confused and frustrated tourists.
Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport warned that rail connections to the capital could face significant delays, and local public transit authorities like ATM in Milan and ATAC in Rome operated only during designated hours: 6 a.m.–8:45 a.m. and 3 p.m.–6 p.m. in Milan, and 5:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.–8 p.m. in Rome.
Union Demands: Prioritize People Over Militarization
The industrial action was led by a coalition of grassroots unions including USB, CUB, SGB, FISI, and FLAI, united in their call for a redirection of public spending. The unions urged the government to divert funds from military budgets toward healthcare, education, infrastructure, and worker safety.
In a public statement, the unions criticized government inaction on cost-of-living pressures, wage stagnation, and deteriorating working conditions—especially in the transport and logistics sectors.
A Wake-Up Call for Tourists and Airlines
As Italy braces for one of its busiest summer travel seasons in years, this latest strike serves as a stark reminder of the country’s ongoing labor tensions. Tourists are advised to:
- Monitor airline and airport alerts
- Reconfirm flight and rail bookings
- Book accommodations near alternate transport hubs
- Consider travel insurance that includes strike coverage
Recurring Friday strikes have become a familiar headache for both residents and travelers, with growing concerns over reliability across Italy’s air and rail networks.
Summary: Airports Most Affected
| Airport | Cancellations | Delays |
|---|---|---|
| Milan Malpensa (MXP) | 31 | 58 |
| Venice Marco Polo (VCE) | 19 | 15 |
| Pisa Galileo Galilei (PSA) | 14 | 12 |
| Florence Vespucci (FLR) | 10 | 5 |
| Total | 74 | 90 |
Final Thoughts
With over 160 flights impacted, Italy’s June 2025 nationwide strike delivered a powerful message from transport sector workers—and a logistical nightmare for tourists and airlines alike. As labor disputes continue to disrupt essential services, travelers planning Italian getaways should remain flexible, stay informed, and prepare for continued volatility in transport operations this summer.
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