easyJet. Photo: SNEHIT PHOTO / Shutterstock.com Passengers flying to or from Italy on Friday, October 16, could face delays or cancellations as easyJet flight crews prepare for a nationwide, 24-hour strike. Italy’s Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) has published a list of flights required to operate, while passengers are being advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
According to the Italian Ministry of Transport’s official strike schedule, the action was called by the USB Lavoro Privato union and is due to run from 00:00 to 23:59 on Friday.
The strike affects easyJet flight crews, rather than all airlines or airport employees across Italy. Its impact will depend on how many employees take part and the airline’s operational arrangements. The announcement does not mean every easyJet flight on Friday will be canceled.
ENAC published its list of protected flights on October 12. Under Italian strike rules, flights scheduled to depart during two daily time windows must operate: 07:00 to 10:00 and 18:00 to 21:00, local Italian time.
The authority has also identified additional flights that must operate outside these periods, primarily to maintain essential connections with the islands.
The published list includes:
-Flights EJU 4115 and EJU 4116 between Naples and Olbia, in Sardinia.
-Flights EJU 3599 and EJU 3600 between Milan Malpensa and Lampedusa.
-Flight EJU 3897 from Milan Malpensa to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Other flights may also operate during the day, depending on easyJet’s operational capacity and the level of participation in the strike. A flight that does not appear on the protected list is not automatically canceled.
Passengers whose flights are canceled may be protected under EU Regulation EC 261/2004, which applies to qualifying flights departing from Italy. Depending on the circumstances, the airline must offer a choice between a refund and re-routing to the destination.
Passengers waiting for an alternative flight may also be entitled to meals and refreshments. If an overnight stay becomes necessary, hotel accommodation and transport between the airport and the hotel may also be covered.
Compensation of €250 to €600 may be available in some cases, depending on the flight distance and the applicable rules. A strike does not automatically exempt an airline from paying compensation. The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that strikes involving an airline’s own employees are not necessarily considered extraordinary circumstances. Whether compensation is due depends on the specific circumstances and the legal requirements.
Passengers booked on easyJet flights to or from Italy on Friday should check their flight status on the airline’s official website or app and monitor updates, including shortly before departure.
They should also make sure their booking contains an up-to-date email address and phone number so they can receive notifications about changes.
If a flight is still shown as scheduled, passengers should not assume it has been canceled because of the strike. They should follow any instructions from easyJet and continue checking for updates.
As of October 14, the strike remained scheduled, and ENAC had published the list of flights required to operate. The extent of disruption will depend on staff participation and the airline’s operational decisions ahead of Friday.