Airline staff and airport ground services are set to strike for up to 24 hours on Tuesday, July 21st 2026, with warnings of delays and cancellations for passengers.

A walkout by easyJet pilots and cabin crew is expected to cause the biggest disruption. The USB Lavoro Privato union called for a strike across the national network for a full 24 hours, from midnight to 11.59pm.

Cabin crew at DAT, a regional carrier that operates routes from Palermo to the islands of Lampedusa and Pantelleria, will walk out over the same hours, in action limited to the airline’s Palermo operation.

Ground services at several airports will also take industrial action on Tuesday, in separate strikes called by different unions.

At Milan Malpensa, FedEx staff and workers from handling firms Alha and MLE BCube will walk out for 24 hours. Cargo and handling employees at Lamezia Terme, Calabria’s primary airport, were also set to  strike for the entire day.

Airport staff also plan to go on strike in two of Sardinia’s largest hubs, Olbia and Alghero, from 1pm to 5pm. Handling services at Naples and Salerno Costa d’Amalfi airports will take action from 10am to 2pm.

Passengers flying through these airports should be prepared for delays at check-in and boarding and slower baggage handling.

Guaranteed flight services

Under Italian law, some services must be guaranteed at peak times during strikes.

Italy’s civil aviation authority, Enac, confirmed that departures between 7am and 10am and between 6pm and 9pm must operate as scheduled, as well as other essential connections.

Here, you can find the list of guaranteed flights for both easyJet and DAT.

What to do if your flight is cancelled

If you’re flying to, from or within the EU, you have the right to either a refund or rebooking, and the airline must always offer you the choice.

If you’re booked onto a later flight and have to wait more than two hours, you’re entitled to assistance, including food and drink.

READ ALSO: What are my rights in Italy if a flight is cancelled or delayed?

And in the case of cancellations at short notice, you may also be able to claim compensation. Find full details HERE.

A week of public transport strikes

Travellers are facing a week of disruption across Italy’s transport sectors, with ferry, rail and bus services affected in various regions. Find full details HERE.