Published on : 03 Nov 2026
Air traffic staff at Milan Malpensa are set to strike for 24 hours on Sunday, November 22 — and Venice Marco Polo’s security staff are walking out the same day — while a four-hour nationwide ENAV strike once listed for Saturday, November 21 now looks like it may have been withdrawn.
The Malpensa action, called by the local ENAV union representatives of FAST-CONFSAL-AV, runs from 00:01 to midnight and appears in the Transport Ministry’s strike register as of its latest reading. It does not close the airport: Italian rules protect flights in set time bands, and strikes by air traffic staff usually mean delays, schedule changes and some cancellations rather than a shutdown.
The November 21 strike is less clear. Several calendars still list a four-hour national ENAV stoppage from 13:00 to 17:00, called by FILT-CGIL and UGL-TA, but the official register as last read on November 1 no longer showed it, and one tracker marks it as revoked. Check before you travel. Here is what’s known.
Published: November 3, 2026 — Tuesday Malpensa strike: Sunday, November 22, 00:01–24:00 — ENAV staff, called by RSA FAST-CONFSAL-AV Venice Marco Polo: Sunday, November 22 — 24-hour strike by Sicuritalia IVRI security staff National ENAV strike (Nov 21): Listed by some calendars for 13:00–17:00 (FILT-CGIL, UGL-TA); status conflicting — one tracker says revoked, and it was absent from the ministry register read on November 1 Protected flights: Departures between 07:00–10:00 and 18:00–21:00 are guaranteed during air-transport strikes, plus links with the islands, and ENAC publishes a list of guaranteed flights Other disruption that weekend: CGIL general strike on Friday, November 20, and a national rail strike from 21:00 on November 20 to 20:00 on November 21 Who’s affected: Passengers on any airline using Malpensa on November 22 Advice: Book flexible fares, allow extra time, and check your airline the day before
| Strike | Date and Time | Union | Status (as of Nov 2–3) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENAV — Milan Malpensa | Sun, Nov 22, 00:01–24:00 | RSA FAST-CONFSAL-AV | Listed in the ministry register | Local action; ministry notes flights to and from Bari are guaranteed |
| Venice Marco Polo airport security | Sun, Nov 22, 24 hours | Sicuritalia IVRI staff, via FISASCAT-CISL | Listed | Likely to mean longer security queues, not a closed airport |
| ENAV — national | Sat, Nov 21, 13:00–17:00 | FILT-CGIL and UGL-TA | Unclear | Several calendars still show it; one tracker marks it revoked; it did not appear in the ministry register read on Nov 1 — verify |
| ENAV — Bari | Fri, Nov 6, 13:00–17:00 | RSA FAST-CONFSAL-AV | Listed; local | Essential services guaranteed |
Strikes can be added or withdrawn up to a few days before the date. Italian rules require a revocation at least five days before a strike, so if nothing changes by about November 16, the Nov 21 status will be clearer.
| Rule | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Guaranteed bands | Flights departing 07:00–10:00 and 18:00–21:00 are protected and should operate |
| Outside the bands | Flights can be delayed or cancelled; the Nov 21 window (13:00–17:00) would fall outside both bands |
| ENAC’s list | ENAC publishes a list of guaranteed flights based on airlines’ schedules; if your flight is on it, it should operate |
| Island links | Flights to the islands are usually protected |
| Airline decisions | Each airline decides which flights to cancel or reschedule; a strike doesn’t mean all flights are cancelled |
A strike by controllers at one airport reduces how many flights can safely be handled, which is why Malpensa is likely to see delays and cancellations, especially outside the protected bands. Airlines normally publish updates in the days before the strike.
| Situation | What Usually Applies | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Flight cancelled because of the ATC strike | A choice between a refund and re-routing at the earliest opportunity; care such as meals and hotels while you wait | Contact your airline; keep receipts |
| Compensation (EU261 / UK261) | Not usually due when disruption is caused by a strike outside the airline’s control, such as air traffic control or airport staff | Ask the airline, but don’t count on it |
| Strike by the airline’s own staff | Different: such a strike may not count as extraordinary, so compensation can be due | Check which staff are striking |
| Re-routing | The airline must offer comparable transport; alternative carriers depend on the airline’s policy | Check your airline’s rules |
| Travel insurance | Policies bought after a strike is announced may exclude it | Read the strike clause before you buy |
General guidance, not legal advice. Check the rules that apply to your route and airline.
The next few weeks will show whether the Nov 21 national strike goes ahead and whether talks change the Malpensa action. We’ll update this article as soon as the ministry register, ENAC or the unions confirm changes.
Posted By : Vinay
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and is based on information available at the time of publication. Travel advisories, airline schedules, airport operations, visa requirements, government regulations, and other travel-related information are subject to change without prior notice. While Travel Tourister makes reasonable efforts to verify information using official announcements, government publications, airline and airport communications, and other reliable sources, we cannot guarantee that all information remains complete, accurate, or up to date at all times. Readers should independently verify any information that may affect their travel plans with the relevant airline, airport authority, government agency, embassy, or other official source before making travel, financial, or other decisions. Travel Tourister shall not be liable for any direct or indirect loss, inconvenience, or damages arising from the use of or reliance on the information contained in this article. Nothing in this publication constitutes legal, immigration, financial, or professional travel advice. If you believe any information in this article is inaccurate or outdated, please contact our editorial team. We review all credible correction requests promptly and update our content whenever appropriate.
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