Information for Travelers: Strikes in Italy and Your Passenger Rights

Air traffic to and within Italy will be subject to significant disruptions starting Monday, May 11. Coordinated work stoppages by the Italian air traffic control agency (ENAV), cabin crew at airlines such as EasyJet, and local ground handling providers are causing massive disruptions. The national airline ITA Airways has already announced the cancellation of approximately 38 to 40 percent of its flight schedule for Monday. Rome-Fiumicino, Milan-Malpensa, and Venice airports are particularly affected, as are flights to and from Vienna.

The following article explains what legal claims travelers can now file under the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation.

Classification of the causes of strikes

Under the Air Passenger Rights Regulation, claims for compensation in air travel depend largely on who is participating in the strike.

• Air Traffic Control Strike (ENAV): Work stoppages by air traffic control are generally classified as "extraordinary circumstances" under the law, as they are beyond the airline's control.

In this case, there is no entitlement to a lump-sum compensation payment (between €250 and €600).

However, if it were proven that the airline could have prevented the strike (e.g., through its own negotiations), the legal situation could change. This is unlikely, however, in the case of ENAV strikes.

• Strikes by the airline’s own staff: Strikes by the airline’s own cabin crew or ground staff (currently, for example, at EasyJet) are generally considered an internal operational risk. This may also apply to staff of external service providers that the airline uses for handling or for providing other services necessary for operations.

In the event of cancellation or a long delay (3 hours or more at the destination), passengers are generally entitled to the financial compensation described above, unless there are other exceptional circumstances.

• Complex situations: Since both air traffic control and airlines are currently on strike, the legal situation is more complicated. If airlines refuse to pay compensation, the apf will review the case to determine whether there truly were extraordinary circumstances and whether all possible measures were taken. Airlines must provide evidence of this.

Eligibility for care services

Regardless of whether or not there are extraordinary circumstances, the airline is required to provide assistance to passengers as soon as there is a significant delay (two hours or more for short-haul flights) or a cancellation. These services include:

• Catering: Free food and beverages will be provided in an amount appropriate to the waiting time.
• Accommodation: If an overnight stay is necessary (e.g., if the passenger cannot continue their journey until the following day), they are entitled to a hotel room, including transportation between the airport and the accommodation.
• Communication: Two free phone calls or emails.

Rights in the Event of a Flight Cancellation

If a flight is canceled, passengers generally have the following options:

Refund: A full refund of the ticket price within seven days for the portion of the trip not taken (and, if applicable, for return flights if the destination is no longer reasonably accessible).

Alternative transportation: Transportation to the final destination under comparable conditions, either as soon as possible or at a later time of your choosing.

Many airlines are currently proactively offering free rebookings to alternative dates in order to alleviate the capacity constraints caused by the strike. Passengers are not required to accept the flights offered.

Legal Framework in Italy (Fasce di Garanzia)

In Italy, strikes in the transportation sector are subject to specific legal regulations. There are so-called “Fasce di Garanzia” (guaranteed service periods) during which operations must be maintained to ensure basic service (typically from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.).

However, the current strike actions are concentrated between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Since this time period does not fall within the guaranteed service hours, the announced service disruptions are legally permissible.

Recommendations for travelers

To avoid unnecessary delays and misunderstandings, the apf recommends the following measures:

Preliminary Information: Check the status of your booking on the airline’s website or app before heading to the airport. Affected passengers are usually notified by email or text message.

Documentation: Be sure to keep all correspondence, boarding passes, and receipts (!) for expenses you’ve paid out of pocket (meals, hotels). This is important for any future claims.

Free arbitration in cases of rejected claims: For complex cases—particularly when the disruption stems from multiple causes and the airline rejects the claims or fails to respond within six weeks— theapf arbitration procedure a free arbitration procedure .