Winter Olympics: Italy shifts airport strike date
Alexandra
Strike schedule and guaranteed operational windows
The nationwide 24-hour air transport strike originally slated for 16 February has been postponed to 26 February, while a further aviation walkout by ENAV staff is planned for 7 March. ITA Airways cabin crew and pilots announced a midnight-to-midnight stoppage, with unions across pilots, flight attendants and ground staff joining the action. Italian aviation law mandates protected operating slots from 07:00–10:00 and 18:00–21:00, but tens of thousands of passengers may still face cancellations or delays outside those windows.
Who and what is affected
Key carriers and handling agents involved include ITA Airways, Vueling, easyJet, Airport Handling and ALHA. Major airports likely to see disruption are Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Rome Fiumicino, Venice Marco Polo and Verona Valerio Catullo Airport. Ground staff, check-in teams and ramp operators are among those participating, so even flights within protected hours could experience knock-on effects in turnaround times and baggage handling.
ENAV and rail actions to watch
The national air traffic control provider, ENAV, plans a separate stoppage on 7 March, which could affect airspace capacity during the Paralympics. Meanwhile, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) rail staff will strike from 21:00 on 27 February until 20:59 on 28 February, potentially disrupting regional, Intercity and high-speed Frecce services. Regional trains have protected slots from 06:00–09:00 and 18:00–21:00 on strike days, but journeys outside those periods may be curtailed.
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Airports and guaranteed windows — quick reference
| Airport | Likely impact | Protected slots |
|---|---|---|
| Milan Malpensa | Possible cancellations and delayed turnarounds | 07:00–10:00, 18:00–21:00 |
| Milan Linate | Ground handling shortages expected | 07:00–10:00, 18:00–21:00 |
| Rome Fiumicino | International departures at highest risk | 07:00–10:00, 18:00–21:00 |
| Venice Marco Polo | Delays could cascade to ferries and water taxis | 07:00–10:00, 18:00–21:00 |
| Verona Valerio Catullo | Disruption for ski-bound traffic | 07:00–10:00, 18:00–21:00 |
Practical steps for travellers and boat renters
If you have flights, ferry links or yacht/boat charters around these dates, act now rather than later — better safe than sorry. Here are practical moves to limit headaches:
- Confirm departure times and rebooking policies with your airline and get written updates.
- If you booked a yacht charter or boat rental, notify the charter operator and consider flexible check-in times with the captain or base.
- For transfers from airports to marinas, secure private transfer bookings or have backup plans; public rail options may be unreliable during the late-February rail strike.
- Check insurance policies for strike-related coverage, and keep receipts for extra expenses like taxis or last-minute accommodation.
- Monitor ENAV and FS service updates on the strike days and follow real-time alerts from airports and marinas.
Tips specific to sailing and marinas
Boat charters and superyacht movements can be affected indirectly. Crew rotations often rely on flights and trains; a delayed captain or engineer can postpone departures. If a client’s itinerary includes both flying and yachting, allow extra buffer days before embarking on a multi-day charter. For last-minute hires of a Sunseeker or similar craft, confirm crew availability and fueling windows in advance — sometimes you have to batten down the hatches and roll with it.
On-the-water contingencies
Operators should review provisioning schedules, berth reservations at marinas, and alternative embarkation points (lakeside or coastal) in case airport-to-marina transfers are disrupted. For guests arriving by ferry or private boat, consider flexible arrival windows and clearly communicate rendezvous points to captains.
Passenger rights and compensation
Passengers affected by cancellations may be entitled to rebooking, refunds, or care under EU Regulation 261/2004 depending on the circumstances. Rail passengers have separate national protections for delayed or cancelled services. Keep booking references, boarding passes and receipts if you plan to seek compensation.
Strikes can cause frustration, but planning and quick communication reduce the pain. Whether you’re heading to ski slopes, the Winter Olympics or a yacht charter in the Mediterranean, allow time buffers, confirm with operators, and consider alternative travel corridors. In short: check, confirm and keep your options open.
Wrap-up: The nationwide airport strike moved to 26 February (with an ENAV action on 7 March and FS rail strike at the end of February) will affect ITA Airways, Vueling, easyJet, Airport Handling, ALHA and major hubs like Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Rome Fiumicino, Venice Marco Polo and Verona Valerio Catullo Airport. Protected flight windows and rail guarantees exist, but disruptions are likely and will ripple into transfers, ferry links and yacht charters. Travelers and charter operators should recheck bookings, prepare backups for transfers to marinas, and document extra costs for compensation. Key terms to keep in mind for future planning: yacht, charter, boat, beach, rent, lake, sailing, captain, sale, Destinations, superyacht, activities, yachting, sea, ocean, boating, gulf, water, sunseeker, marinas, clearwater, fishing.
