Reports suggest that travellers on May 11 will see some problems (Image: Getty)
People who are due to holiday in Italy next month have been warned to expect issues on certain days as the local travel industry prepares for major disruption at local airports. It could lead to flights getting cancelled or delayed.
The media in Italy have reported that Monday, May 11, is likely to be a “black day” for air transport. A report from Il Sole 24 Ore claims that local strikes will also run alongside Easyjet’s united and national strike from 10am to 6pm.
The report said: “A series of protests articulated at the local level, in different sectors, which threaten to put air transport on hold. In fact, employees of airport service and security companies in Cagliari, Enav in Rome and Naples, Adr Security in Fiumicino and handling companies in Palermo will also be on strike.”
Another report issued by travel management company Cisalpina Tours International reads: “Rome Airport, 11/5/2026 – 8 hours from 10am to 6pm. Air transport sector delays and cancellations are expected. Strike by staff at ENAV – Rome air traffic control centre.”
Kate Donnelly, a British content creator and travel business owner (@Thedonnellyedit), also shared an update on TikTok. She said: “This is the date that is going to have the biggest impact on flights, and there are a number of things that are going on. Firstly, air traffic control staff are going to go on strike at Rome’s area control centre and also at Naples.
“This is going to be an eight-hour strike; it’s going to start at 10am and finish at 6pm.” Kate also said there will also be a separate Easyjet strike involving “pilots and cabin crew” but stressed this is “just within Italy” and shouldn’t impact flights in other parts of Europe.
She added: “With these types of strikes, we are likely to see flight delays as well as flight cancellations, and these could be quite last-minute. It is really important that you keep checking your flight schedule, make sure you have your alerts and notifications switched on so that you stay up to date with any sudden, last-minute changes.”
The travel specialist also highlighted further strike action happening later in the month on Friday, May 29. This will happen across Italy and will cause disruption to general public services (rail and road), with trains being impacted the night before from 9pm on Thursday, May 28.
What are my rights if flights are cancelled or delayed?
If your flight is cancelled, it’s important to know you have rights. Typically, these include a replacement flight or a refund.
Flights departing from an EU airport (such as Italy) are covered by EU/UK regulations. Martin Lewis’ MSE team claim that people stuck abroad should be “offered an alternative flight at the earliest opportunity”, and it doesn’t have to be with the same airline.
Although it doesn’t define what “the earliest opportunity” means, the Civil Aviation Authority states: “It is our view that passengers should be rerouted on the same day as their original flight and via the same route, but where this is not possible, their airline should instead identify alternative re-routing options which minimise the disruption to the journey plans of affected passengers. This could include travel with a different airline.”
You will not be able to claim compensation from the airline if the delay is beyond the airline’s control due to an “extraordinary circumstance”. Industrial action by air traffic controllers, airport staff and ground handlers comes under this category but if the strike is from airline staff (like Easyjet’s pilot and cabin crew) then customers could have a claim for added compensation.
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In other travel news, Jet2 has confirmed a major change coming next year. From summer 2027, Jet2 will offer flights and package holidays to the Greek island of Thassos for the first time.
Services will operate via Kavala International Airport, with departures available from three UK airports – Birmingham, Manchester, and London Stansted. The carrier has also revealed that adding Kavala International Airport to its network will bring its total to 16 Greek airports – more than any other British airline, it claims.
According to flight schedules, Birmingham Airport will offer weekly Wednesday departures operating from May 12 until September 29, 2027. Manchester will provide twice-weekly services on Tuesdays and Fridays, while London Stansted will operate weekly Tuesday flights.
Holiday packages will include return transfers, a 22kg luggage allowance, and a £60 per person deposit, Jet2 has confirmed. Read more about this here.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
