Italy’s aviation sector faces fresh turbulence this week as air-traffic-control union UNICA confirms a four-hour national walk-out of ENAV personnel on Friday, 30 September 2026 (13:00-17:00 local time). To cushion the impact on critical connectivity, the National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) released its legally-mandated list of ‘voli garantiti’—flights that must operate even during strike action—on Monday morning, 28 September. The document, updated less than 48 hours before the stoppage, is essential reading for corporate travel managers moving key staff or time-sensitive cargo into or out of Italy. Under Italian strike-mitigation law, flights serving the nation’s smallest islands, medical-evacuation services, and certain early-morning and evening rotations are protected. ENAC’s latest list covers 148 passenger services and 12 cargo flights, including Rome–Milan shuttles, several trans-Atlantic departures, and connections to strategic manufacturing centres such as Turin and Bologna. Airlines operating these flights must inform passengers at least 24 hours in advance if schedules change, while all other services during the affected window may be cancelled outright. The walk-out is part of a broader industrial campaign over staffing levels and the delayed renewal of ENAV’s national collective agreement. Although the strike is limited to four hours, ripple effects often extend well beyond the stated period as airlines reposition aircraft and crews. During the last ENAV stoppage in July, on-time performance across Italian airports fell by 42% and average delay per departure exceeded 55 minutes. United Airlines, Lufthansa and ITA Airways have already issued travel waivers permitting free rebooking for itineraries touching Italy between 29 September and 1 October. Companies with high-value or perishable shipments should consider shifting to overnight trucking via road or rail or advancing cargo flights to Thursday to avoid potential ground-handling backlogs. Travellers who must fly during the strike window are advised to verify whether their service appears on ENAC’s guaranteed list, arrive early due to possible security-queue build-ups, and monitor airline apps for gate changes. Employers should also remind staff that EU261 compensation does not apply to cancellations caused by officially notified industrial action, although airlines must still offer rerouting or refunds.
Source: ENAC
