More than 20,000 easyJet passengers face potential delays and cancellations this Saturday, 31 January, as Italian-based pilots and cabin crew stage a four-hour strike (13:00–17:00 local). Although easyJet does not operate from Dublin, Irish leisure and business travellers transiting through Milan, Rome, Naples or Venice—common connection points for intra-European itineraries—could be caught in the disruption.
The carrier says contingency rosters should protect the majority of its schedule, but Naples Airport has already issued delay advisories and union sources warn that last-minute crew shortages are “very likely”. Under EU261 rules, industrial action by an airline’s own staff generally falls under the carrier’s control, meaning passengers delayed more than three hours could claim up to €600 compensation.
![Italian easyJet strike on 31 January threatens weekend itineraries for Irish flyers]()
Corporate-travel managers should check whether itineraries over the St Brigid’s bank-holiday weekend involve easyJet segments in Italy. Where possible, re-route via alternative carriers or airports; Ryanair and Aer Lingus Regional have limited same-day inventory but may accept disrupted easyJet customers under interline agreements negotiated during previous strike waves.
The walkout centres on rostering, post-COVID wage restoration and the integration of the larger Airbus A321neo into Italian bases—issues unlikely to be resolved quickly. Even if this weekend’s impact is contained, further stoppages remain a risk throughout Q1, and Ireland-based TMCs are advising clients to diversify suppliers on the Italy-Ireland corridor.
Travellers who must stick with existing tickets should monitor easyJet’s flight-status portal and arrive early: cascading knock-on delays could persist into Saturday evening as aircraft rotate back to northern Europe.
The carrier says contingency rosters should protect the majority of its schedule, but Naples Airport has already issued delay advisories and union sources warn that last-minute crew shortages are “very likely”. Under EU261 rules, industrial action by an airline’s own staff generally falls under the carrier’s control, meaning passengers delayed more than three hours could claim up to €600 compensation.
Corporate-travel managers should check whether itineraries over the St Brigid’s bank-holiday weekend involve easyJet segments in Italy. Where possible, re-route via alternative carriers or airports; Ryanair and Aer Lingus Regional have limited same-day inventory but may accept disrupted easyJet customers under interline agreements negotiated during previous strike waves.
The walkout centres on rostering, post-COVID wage restoration and the integration of the larger Airbus A321neo into Italian bases—issues unlikely to be resolved quickly. Even if this weekend’s impact is contained, further stoppages remain a risk throughout Q1, and Ireland-based TMCs are advising clients to diversify suppliers on the Italy-Ireland corridor.
Travellers who must stick with existing tickets should monitor easyJet’s flight-status portal and arrive early: cascading knock-on delays could persist into Saturday evening as aircraft rotate back to northern Europe.
Source: The Sun
