Black Day: ITA Airways Forced to Cancel 38% of Operations on May 11 Due to Major Air Transport Strike

After multiple strikes hit Italy's rail services in Milan and Florence on May 4 and May 5, 2026, an aviation walkout by air controllers and airport ground staff is announced for May 11.

ITA Airways has updated its passengers that, "due to planned strike actions in air transport in Italy on Monday, May 11 (from 10:00 to 18:00)", they have been "forced to cancel approximately 38% of scheduled operations for that day."

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The airline also shared a comprehensive list of all canceled flights, counting a total of 123 flights.

easyJet Will Also Go on Strike

The Italian Ministry of Transport has published notices of several regional strikes that will affect aviation, mixed with a national strike by announced by easyJet on the same "black day".

The coordinated strikes will impact air traffic control, airport operations, ground handling, and airline crews across the country.

One of the most critical actions involves staff at ENAV, responsible for managing Italian airspace. Multiple unions, including FAST-CONFSAL and UIL, have called strikes affecting the Area Control Center in Rome, including overlapping stoppages of up to eight hours, primarily between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm, with an additional four-hour strike in the afternoon.

A separate interregional action will also affect ENAV staff at Naples Airport, triggering possible delays and flight cancellations, particularly during peak daytime operations.

Airport operations will also feel the impact, with security staff at Rome’s main hubs, Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport and Ciampino Airport scheduled to strike for four hours midday.

Ground handling and rescue services will also be involved in multiple regions like Palermo, where staff from companies such as GH Palermo, ASC Handling, and Aviapartner will stage a four-hour strike, and Milan, where workers at Milan Malpensa Airport are set to walk out during the afternoon. Similar actions are planned at Cagliari Elmas Airport, affecting the SOGAER Group and associated services (aircraft turnaround, baggage handling, emergency response).