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Passengers flying to, from, and within Italy are set to face considerable disruption later this week, following the announcement of a one-day strike on Thursday, February 26, 2026. While local regulations mean that some flights will escape disruption, specifically those on certain routes or at certain times of the day, many are still set to be cancelled, with Italian flag carrier ITA Airways shelving over half of its scheduled Thursday flights.
Elsewhere in the country, other major European carriers, including the likes of easyJet and Vueling, are also gearing up for a tough day at the office, with several different strikes planned. However, there is a chance that the disruption could have been more extensive had the industrial action occurred when the unions desired. Indeed, the strikes were reportedly initially set to take place during the recent 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
Big Cuts Are Coming
According to Loyalty Lobby, this Thursday, members of unions representing staff at Italian flag carrier and 
SkyTeam member ITA Airways are set to walk out for 24 hours in a disruptive round of industrial action. The publication notes that, elsewhere, a similar strike will be held by pilots and cabin crew at easyJet in Italy, while, between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm local time, flights at major Italian airports will also be hit by a ground handling strike.
The national strike will last from 12:01 am to 11:59 pm on Thursday, with BTN Europe noting that it will also impact the rail industry, potentially causing further disruption to air passengers who may have instead attempted to make their journeys by train. According to Visa HQ, stalled pay negotiations are behind the strikes, with roster harmonization issues also playing a role. ITA Airways has had to shelve over half of its Thursday flights, stating that:
“Following the proclamation of strike actions involving the air transport sector in Italy scheduled for February 26, the Company has been forced to cancel about 55% of its schedule scheduled for 26 February.”
Airlines In Italy Have Also Had To Cancel Flights Either Side of The Strike
ITA Airways has listed a full breakdown of the cancelled services on its website, with Loyalty Lobby noting that, while the disruption is extensive, local regulations are preventing it from having an even greater impact. Indeed, flights departing between 7:00 am and 10:00 am, as well as from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, are prevented by regulators from being included in the list of those disrupted by the strikes, as are most long-haul routes.
Additionally, regional flights to Italy’s various islands are typically protected under such circumstances, in order for these destinations to retain a suitable degree of connectivity to the mainland of the European country. As detailed in the table below, ITA has also cancelled flights on February 27 and 27, 2026.
|
ITA Airways’ Cancellations Outside February 26 |
|
|---|---|
|
Date |
Cancellations |
|
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 |
15 |
|
Friday, February 27, 2026 |
Ten |
Wednesday’s 15 preliminary cancellations are all domestic services, with three originating at Milan Linate (LIN) and 12 at Rome Fiumicino (FCO). Meanwhile, nine of the ten cancellations pencilled in for Friday are also internal flights bound for Rome (three) and Milan (six), with the tenth being an international service from Paris (CDG) to Rome. The scores of Thursday cancellations impact both domestic and short-haul international routes.
ITA Airways Debuts Stunning Livery For Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
ITA Airways’ Airbus A320 EI-DSY debuts a special Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic livery, turning the jet into a flying ambassador for Italy’s Winter Games
Unions Initially Wanted To Go On Strike Earlier, During The Olympics
In recent weeks, the eyes of the world were on Italy, as it played host to the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina. The sporting spectacle came to an end yesterday, with a great many fans and athletes having traveled to and from Italy for the event. Interestingly, it seems that they, too, may have faced disruption, had the relevant unions got their wishes as far as the proposed dates of the industrial action were concerned.
Indeed, according to Visa HQ, Monday, February 16, was eyed as the initial date for the strike, but this industrial action was ultimately postponed by regulators and the Italian government amid a ‘traffic freeze’ related to the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Still, all is not said and done yet, with a second walkout planned for March 7. This date falls just a day after the start of the Winter Paralympics, so more disruption could yet be on the horizon.
