Italian Airport Strikes to Disrupt Milan, easyJet Flights on March 18

Travelers in Italy face significant flight disruptions on Wednesday, March 18, due to coordinated industrial action. A 24-hour strike by ground handling staff will impact three key northern Italian airports, while a separate national walk-out by easyJet flight crews will compound delays. The Italian airport strike is expected to affect operations at Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), Milan Linate Airport (LIN), and Brescia Montichiari Airport (VBS).

The simultaneous strikes represent a 'double-hit' for airlines and passengers, severely limiting operational recovery options during the midday travel window. The ground handling strike, called by unions including Confederazione Unitaria di Base (CUB) Trasporti, will run for a full 24 hours. Concurrently, easyJet flight crews, represented by Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) Lavoro Privato, will conduct a four-hour national strike from 13:00 to 17:00 local time. This action will primarily affect easyJet's Italian bases and flights operating to and from the country during that period.

Regulatory Protections and Passenger Rights

Under Italian law, certain flights are protected during industrial action to maintain essential services. According to the Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile (ENAC), Italy's civil aviation authority, all flights scheduled to depart during two peak windows—07:00 to 10:00 and 18:00 to 21:00—are legally guaranteed to operate. A full list of protected flights is typically published by ENAC ahead of any planned strike.

For passengers on canceled flights, rights are governed by European Union Regulation 261/2004 (EU261). While industrial action by third-party airport staff is generally considered an 'extraordinary circumstance' that exempts airlines from paying cash compensation, their 'Duty of Care' obligations remain in full effect. Airlines must provide affected passengers with assistance, including meals, refreshments, and hotel accommodation if an overnight stay becomes necessary. They are also required to offer rebooking on the next available flight or a full refund for the unused ticket portion. Passengers can find detailed information on their rights on the official ENAC passenger portal.

Broader Context of Labor Unrest

This latest round of strikes continues a trend of escalating labor disputes within the Italian aviation sector in early 2026. A similar nationwide aviation strike on February 26, 2026, resulted in the cancellation of over 300 flights. That event saw ITA Airways, the national carrier, cancel 55% of its scheduled operations. The pattern of simultaneous strikes from different unions and sectors is also becoming more common. On March 7, 2026, coordinated action by air traffic controllers and easyJet staff placed over 1,000 flights at risk, highlighting the systemic vulnerability to these compounding disruptions.

Unions have stated the strikes are a necessary measure to secure improved contract renewals and better working conditions in a high-inflation environment. The industrial action aims to address concerns over job security for fixed-term employees and work-life balance for flight and ground crews.

Stakeholder Impact

The impact of the strikes will be felt most acutely by easyJet, which faces significant operational disruption and will incur substantial costs related to its Duty of Care obligations for stranded passengers. For ground operations at Milan's Malpensa and Linate airports, the 24-hour walkout is expected to create severe bottlenecks in baggage handling, check-in services, and aircraft turnarounds, leading to cascading delays even for airlines whose crews are not on strike. Passengers with connections through Milan are also at high risk of missing onward long-haul flights due to the cancellation of their feeder flights.

What Comes Next

In the days leading up to March 18, ENAC is confirmed to publish its official list of guaranteed flights, which will provide clarity for some travelers. The official status of all transport strikes is tracked on the Italian Ministry of Transport's strike portal. In line with standard industry practice, easyJet is expected to begin proactively canceling flights and notifying affected passengers with rebooking options between March 15 and March 16. Travelers scheduled to fly to or from the affected airports on March 18 are advised to check their flight status directly with their airline before heading to the airport.

Why This Matters

This event highlights the increasing operational fragility within the European aviation network, where localized labor disputes can have a significant cross-border impact. For airlines, it underscores the challenge of managing disruptions caused by both internal staff and third-party service providers simultaneously. For passengers, it serves as a critical reminder of the importance of understanding their rights under EU261, particularly the non-negotiable Duty of Care during widespread cancellations.