Italy air traffic control strikes in November 2026: 21 November nationwide, Milan Malpensa and Venice on 22 November

What has been announced

According to a calendar published by Money.it on 22 October, based on the Italian transport ministry's official strike register, four actions affect air travel. On Friday 6 November, staff of ENAV, Italy's air navigation service provider, are called out from 1pm to 5pm at Bari airport by the RSA Fast-Confsal AV union.

On Saturday 21 November, a national ENAV strike is planned from 1pm to 5pm, called by the Filt-Cgil and Ugl Trasporto Aereo unions, according to Money.it and Meteo.it. It comes the day after a nationwide general strike called by the CGIL union confederation on Friday 20 November; details for the air sector had not been announced.

On Sunday 22 November, two 24-hour strikes are listed: ENAV staff at Milan Malpensa (RSA Fast-Confsal AV), and Sicuritalia IVRI security staff at Venice Marco Polo (Fisascat-Cisl), who carry out passenger screening.

What it means for flights from the UK

Italian law requires a minimum service. According to ENAC, Italy's civil aviation authority, flights must run in two protected windows, from 7am to 10am and from 6pm to 9pm local time, and ENAC publishes a list of guaranteed flights before each strike. No list had been published for these dates as of 25 October.

The 21 November strike falls outside the protected windows, as Money.it notes, so afternoon flights between UK airports and Italy are the most exposed. At Malpensa, the strike covers the whole of 22 November. In Venice, a security staff strike is more likely to mean longer queues than cancellations. No airline had announced cancellations as of 25 October, and Money.it and The Local Italy both warn the notices can be withdrawn, postponed or changed.

Your rights

If your flight is cancelled, the airline must offer a refund or an alternative flight, and provide meals and refreshments, plus a hotel when you are stuck overnight. Keep boarding passes and receipts.

A strike by air traffic controllers or airport staff is usually treated as an extraordinary circumstance, so compensation is generally not due for disruption it directly causes. It depends on the facts: a delay or cancellation with another cause may still qualify. FlightClaimHQ can check your case and handle the claim for you.

Will my flight to Milan on 21 November be cancelled?

Not necessarily. The national ENAV strike is planned from 1pm to 5pm local time. ENAC will list guaranteed flights shortly before, and your airline must tell you about any change.

Is there an airport strike at Venice in November 2026?

Security staff at Venice Marco Polo plan a 24-hour strike on Sunday 22 November, according to Money.it and Meteo.it. Allow extra time for screening.