Holidaymakers have been warned of travel chaos today as some of Italy's busiest airports forecast disruption.
Travellers flying between the UK and Italy face significant disturbance today as a nationwide aviation strike takes place from 1pm to 5pm local time.
The industrial action, involving ground handling personnel affiliated with Assohandlers, is expected to affect flight schedules and airport operations across the country.
These workers handle baggage and provide ground services for airlines, including easyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air.
Wizz Air and easyJet told GB News that they will not be affected by the strikes today.
However, Ryanair stated on its website: "Due to a third-party ground handling strike in Italy on Friday, May 9, Ryanair regrets to inform passengers that we have been forced to cancel a small number of flights to/from Italy and make schedule changes to a small number of others.
"Passengers affected by cancellations/schedule changes have been notified of their options via email/SMS.
Strike action today could 'significantly disrupt travel plans'
GETTY IMAGES"Additionally, we are monitoring potential delays for flights to/from Italy on Friday, May 9, as a result of the strike. Passengers affected by delays will be notified via the Ryanair app.
"We ask all passengers due to travel to/from Italy on Friday, May 9, to keep an eye on the Ryanair app for the latest updates. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by this strike, which is outside of our control."
Separate strikes will also affect Swissport Italy staff at Milan-Linate airport and Aviation Services employees at Venice's Marco Polo Airport.
Possible affected routes include flights from Italian cities to and from all London airports, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham and Bristol, the experts at airline compensation specialists SkyRefund warned.
A broader general transport strike is also planned for the same period today. This could further impact various transport sectors, potentially compounding disruptions at airports.
Both domestic and international travel may be affected by these combined industrial actions.
Labour actions in Italy may be suspended or modified at short notice.
Milan Malpensa, Naples-Capodichino, and Venice Marco Polo were among the airports that issued statements to passengers flying today.
Milan Malpensa, Italy's second busiest airport after Rome Fiumicino, stated: "There might be some delays or cancellations affecting your flights.
"We invite passengers to contact passengers to contact the airline to check their flight status before going to the airport."
Venice Marco Polo Airport issued a similar statement: "We would like to inform our passengers that a national air transport strike will be underway on Friday, May 9.
"Scheduled flights may be delayed or cancelled, and normal passenger and aircraft handling procedures may be delayed.
"For information about your flight, please contact your airline, tour operator or travel agent."
To mitigate disruption as much as possible, holidaymakers should stay up-to-date with the latest travel advice and keep an eye on their emails for new information regarding their flights.
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Britons enjoying an Italy escape have been warned that today's strikes could have a knock-on effect
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CEO of SkyRefund, Ivaylo Danailov, offered advice for those flying today. He stated: "Given that the strike is scheduled during the peak afternoon hours on Friday, it has the potential to significantly disrupt travel plans, particularly for passengers with tight connections or time-sensitive itineraries.
"Airport support staff are integral to maintaining operational efficiency; any reduction in personnel may result in delays to baggage handling, aircraft turnaround, and boarding procedures.
"Travellers may also experience extended wait times due to reduced staffing levels, particularly at check-in counters and boarding gates. Although the strike is expected to last only four hours, its effects may extend into the evening and possibly beyond, as even minor disruptions can escalate into broader delays.
"Flight delay compensation is a legal entitlement topassengers whose flights arrive at their final destination three hours later than scheduled. This compensation exists to ensure that passengers receive financial compensation for the inconvenience. There are, however, certain conditions that must be met before you can claim compensation.
"You can claim between €250 and €600 (around £212 to £509) for flight delays over three hours under EU Regulation 261/2004, if the delay is the airline's fault. Compensation depends on factors like flight distance, arrival delay, and airline responsibility.
"If your delay exceeds five hours, you have the right to cancel your flight and receive a full refundAirlines must provide food, drinks, and hotel stays during extended delays, even when compensation isn’t owed, under the 'Right to Care' rules."
For more information on compensation entitlements, Britons can visit the Civil Aviation Association's dedicated web pages.
