(ITALY) — Italy’s next big travel headache lands on January 9, when coordinated strikes by airport ground staff and airline cabin crews are set to trigger delays and cancellations nationwide. If you’re flying into, out of, or connecting through Italy on Friday, plan for disruption and build in extra time.
The sharpest pinch point looks like Milan Linate, the close-in airport many business travelers prefer over Malpensa. Alongside a nationwide ground-handling walkout, Swissport Italia ground staff at Milan Linate are set for a 24-hour strike, raising the odds of last-minute operational problems.
What’s happening on January 9
Two separate labor actions are expected to hit airline operations at the same time.
- Ground-handling staff strike (CUB Trasporti): a four-hour stop from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at airports across Italy.
- Cabin crew strikes: easyJet and Vueling cabin crews plan an eight-hour strike, which can translate directly into cancellations if staffing falls below minimums.
These actions arrive during what is often the first major push of the corporate travel year. That matters most at airports like Milan Linate, where flight schedules are dense and recovery options can be limited.
Airports most directly cited for ground-handling disruption
| Airport | What’s affected | Time window |
|---|---|---|
| Milan Linate | Ground handling (CUB Trasporti) + Swissport Italia ground staff | 1–5 p.m. (4 hours) + 24 hours |
| Milan Malpensa | Ground handling (CUB Trasporti) | 1–5 p.m. (4 hours) |
| Venice-Treviso | Ground handling (CUB Trasporti) | 1–5 p.m. (4 hours) |
A broader air-transport stoppage could also extend disruption beyond the 1–5 p.m. peak window. In practice, that means morning flights can still get hit by aircraft and crew being out of position.
Expect cancellations first, then knock-on delays
When ground handling slows down, the first failures are often basic but flight-critical.
- Bags cannot be loaded on time.
- Aircraft turns take longer at the gate.
- Boarding can slip while paperwork and fueling get delayed.
When cabin crews strike, airlines may cancel flights outright rather than risk day-of operational chaos. That’s why low-cost carriers can see more visible schedule changes during labor actions.
Wider transport issues add risk for airport access
These aviation strikes sit inside a larger stretch of nationwide transport actions starting January 8, spanning eleven days. Even if your flight operates, getting to the airport may be harder than usual.
If you were counting on trains, metro lines, buses, or taxis for an early departure, pad your timing. A “normal” Milan or Rome commute can quickly become the weak link.
Heads Up: If you have a same-day connection in Italy on January 9, assume you will need a longer buffer than usual.
What airlines typically do during Italian strike days
Airlines serving Italy often consolidate flights, swap aircraft, or pre-cancel routes to protect the rest of the network. That can look like:
- Flight cancellations published the evening before.
- Rebookings onto earlier departures.
- Reroutes via alternative hubs, when seats exist.
Your best indicator will be the carrier’s app and text alerts. Check your reservation at least twice on January 8, then again the morning of January 9.
Your rights and protections: cash tickets vs award tickets
For most travelers, the practical question is not why the strike is happening. It’s how quickly you can get moved to a flight that actually goes.
Here’s how protections usually play out in real life.
| Booking type | What you can often get | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Cash ticket booked direct | Rebooking options and disruption handling through the airline | Tight same-day capacity, especially out of Milan Linate |
| Award ticket booked with airline miles | Rebooking can be easy on the operating airline | Partner awards may require the ticketing program to reticket |
| Award ticket via partner program | Possible help, but sometimes slower | Phone queues and limited same-day partner inventory |
- Mileage angle: if you’re chasing elite status, a rebook onto a different carrier or fare type may change your earnings.
- Some re-accommodations book into low-earning buckets, especially on partner tickets.
If status matters, confirm your new fare class and operating carrier before you accept the change. That’s especially true when moving between easyJet, Vueling, and legacy competitors on overlapping city pairs.
Competitive context: Italy gives you options, but they may be stressed
Italy is one of Europe’s most competitive aviation markets, with multiple carriers on key routes. That helps in normal times. During strikes, those alternatives fill quickly.
If you can’t get rebooked through Milan Linate, consider:
- Milan Malpensa departures, if seats exist.
- Bergamo for low-cost networks, depending on your airline.
- Rerouting via a non-Italian hub, if your ticket rules allow it.
Remember the bigger picture: with transport strikes spanning rail and local services, airport switching can be harder than it looks on a map.
What to do now (January 7) if you’re flying January 9
Move quickly, because the best seats disappear first once waivers open.
- Pull up your reservation and check whether your airline has posted a travel waiver.
- If you have flexibility, shift to a morning flight that arrives before the 1–5 p.m. ground-handling window.
- Avoid tight connections through Italy, especially same-terminal bag rechecks.
Additional practical tips:
- Prioritize itineraries with fewer moving parts: nonstops beat connections; carry-on only beats checked bags.
- Check ENAC (Italy’s aviation authority) for “guaranteed flights” during strike days under minimum-service rules.
- Finalize any voluntary changes by Thursday, January 8, while you still have choices.
Italy faces significant aviation disruption on January 9 due to coordinated strikes by airport ground staff and cabin crews from easyJet and Vueling. Milan Linate, Malpensa, and Venice-Treviso are primary targets. The strikes, occurring during a broader 11-day transport protest, will likely cause cancellations and delays. Travelers should monitor airline apps, seek travel waivers, and consider alternative hubs or morning departures to minimize impact.
