ITA Airways has cancelled about 29% of its flights on September 30, marking the first major disruption from a four-hour nationwide air traffic control strike scheduled to begin at 13:00 and last until 17:00. The decision follows a notice from ENAV, Italy’s air navigation service, which announced the strike last week but had not yet led to widespread airline adjustments until now.
The strike involves ENAV staff who manage air traffic control across Italy, forcing airlines to either reschedule or cancel flights during the affected period. Italian aviation regulations mandate that essential services continue, shielding morning and evening travel slots from the worst effects. However, afternoon flights face the highest risk of cancellations, delays, or rebooking.
In addition to the national strike, four Italian airports, Milan Linate, Naples, Bologna, and Bari, are also dealing with separate local labor actions involving air traffic controllers. This overlap raises the likelihood of further delays at these hubs, exacerbating the already strained air traffic control capacity.
Passengers are strongly advised to verify their flight status directly with their airline before traveling to the airport, particularly for afternoon departures. Even flights that remain on schedule may face delays if aircraft are rerouted from affected airports. The airline has also warned that disruptions could extend into the evening, as reassigned crews and planes may impact later flights.
Travelers affected by cancellations or significant delays can rebook without fees or request a refund by October 7. The scale of ITA Airways’ cancellations, nearly a third of its daily schedule, demonstrates the strike’s potential impact, which was previously expected to cause notable but less severe disruptions.
