Flight strike in Italy: refund and compensation

If your flight is cancelled or heavily delayed because of a strike, you are always entitled to a refund or an alternative flight, and in some cases also to compensation of up to €600. Here is what you are owed, when and how to claim it, plus the next flight strikes scheduled in Italy.

Next flight strikes in Italy

Friday, 6 November 2026 Flights · Nationwide ENAV APT Bari All of Italy · 4 hours: from 13:00 to 17:00 Called by RSA FAST-CONFSAL-AV Friday, 6 November 2026 Flights · Nationwide ENAV All of Italy · 4 hours: from 13:00 to 17:00 Called by FILT-CGIL/UGL-TA Saturday, 21 November 2026 Flights · Nationwide ENAV All of Italy · 4 hours: from 13:00 to 17:00 Called by FILT-CGIL/UGL-TA Sunday, 22 November 2026 Flights · Nationwide ENAV Aeroporto di Milano Malpensa All of Italy · 24 hours: from 00:01 to 24:00 Called by RSA FAST-CONFSAL-AV Sunday, 22 November 2026 Flights · Nationwide Sicuritalia Ivri Aeroporto Marco Polo di Venezia All of Italy · 24 hours: from 00:00 to 23:59 Called by OST FISASCAT-CISL

All 14 upcoming flight strikes →

Before you leave: check the guaranteed flights

During air transport strikes, the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) publishes the list of guaranteed flights: as a rule, flights departing between 7:00 and 10:00 and between 18:00 and 21:00 are protected, as well as essential connections with the islands. If your flight falls in those slots or is on the list, it will operate; otherwise the airline informs you of cancellations and changes. You can check in advance which days are free of strikes on the strike-free days page.

Cancelled flight: refund or alternative flight

If your flight is cancelled, whoever is on strike, EU Regulation 261/2004 lets you choose between:

a refund of the ticket, within 7 days, for the part of the journey not made;
an alternative flight to the same destination, as soon as possible or on a date of your choice.

While you wait you are also entitled to care: meals and refreshments in proportion to the waiting time and, if needed, a hotel for the night and the transfer. Refund and care are due even when the strike is by air traffic controllers or airport staff.

When you are entitled to compensation of up to €600

On top of the refund, the regulation provides fixed compensation for flights cancelled or arriving more than 3 hours late, but only if the cause is not an "extraordinary circumstance". With strikes, it depends on who is striking:

The airline's own staff (pilots, cabin crew): according to the EU Court of Justice this is not an extraordinary circumstance, so compensation is normally due.
Air traffic controllers, airport, ground handling or security staff: this is outside the airline's control, so compensation is normally not due (refund and care still apply).

Compensation is also not due if the airline told you about the cancellation at least 14 days before departure. The rules cover flights departing from an EU airport and flights arriving in the EU operated by an EU airline.

Flights up to 1,500 km	€250
Flights within the EU over 1,500 km and other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km	€400
Other flights over 3,500 km	€600

How to claim compensation

You can claim directly from the airline, free of charge, using the complaint form on its website: keep your boarding pass, booking and any message you received. If the airline does not reply or refuses, you can turn to the national enforcement body (ENAC in Italy) or hand the claim to a specialised service, which handles it for you and only charges a fee if it wins your compensation.

Alternatives to flying

If your flight is cancelled and you still need to travel within Italy, consider the train or a car: check that no train strike has been called for the same day. The main airports have car rental desks.

Frequently asked questions

Am I entitled to a refund if my flight is cancelled because of a strike?

Yes. Under EU Regulation 261/2004 you can choose between a refund of the ticket within 7 days and an alternative flight, whoever is on strike. You are also entitled to care while you wait (meals and, if needed, a hotel).

Does a strike give a right to compensation of up to €600?

It depends on who is striking. If the airline's own staff strike, the EU Court of Justice does not treat it as an extraordinary circumstance and compensation is normally due. Strikes by air traffic controllers and airport staff are outside the airline's control and normally do not give a right to compensation. It is also not due if you were told about the cancellation at least 14 days in advance.

How much is the compensation?

€250 for flights up to 1,500 km, €400 for flights within the EU over 1,500 km and other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km, €600 for other flights over 3,500 km. For delays, it is due if you reach your destination at least 3 hours late.

Do I have to use a service like AirHelp?

No. You can claim compensation from the airline free of charge. Specialised services handle the claim for you, including if the airline refuses, and only charge a fee if they win your compensation.

Which flights are guaranteed during a flight strike in Italy?

As a rule, flights departing between 7:00 and 10:00 and between 18:00 and 21:00, plus essential connections with the islands. ENAC publishes the list of guaranteed flights before each strike.

How far in advance are flight strikes announced in Italy?

By Italian law (Law 146/1990), a transport strike must be announced at least 10 days in advance. Air transport also has exemption periods when strikes are not allowed, including the summer peak and the Christmas holidays.

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