Trade unions representing airline crews, ground handlers and airport staff have agreed to shift a planned 24-hour national strike from 16 February to 26 February after Transport Minister Matteo Salvini issued an emergency injunction to protect traffic during the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. (wantedinrome.com)
The walk-out would have involved ITA Airways, Vueling, easyJet and handling companies at Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa and Brescia Montichiari—critical gateways for athletes, sponsors and media. The strike watchdog had warned that halting flights during the Games could breach Italy’s minimum-service laws and “seriously endanger freedom of movement”.
![Winter-Games Safeguard: Italian Air-Travel Strike Postponed to 26 February]()
Unions accuse the government of using Olympic hype to sidestep unresolved pay and staffing disputes that date back to December 2025. They have vowed to press ahead on 26 February unless contract negotiations show concrete progress; a separate 7 March strike by ENAV air-traffic controllers remains on the calendar.
If you’re travelling to Italy around the rescheduled strike and still need to arrange entry documents, VisaHQ can simplify the task: its online platform (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) clarifies Italy’s visa requirements, guides you through the application, and offers courier servicing so you’re not left scrambling if consulate hours change or flights are disrupted.
Impact on travellers: tickets dated 16 February are no longer eligible for penalty-free rebooking under EU261 because the industrial action has been lifted. Companies with group movements around 25-27 February should build contingency time into itineraries and monitor airline waiver policies that may be re-activated closer to the new date.
The walk-out would have involved ITA Airways, Vueling, easyJet and handling companies at Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa and Brescia Montichiari—critical gateways for athletes, sponsors and media. The strike watchdog had warned that halting flights during the Games could breach Italy’s minimum-service laws and “seriously endanger freedom of movement”.
Unions accuse the government of using Olympic hype to sidestep unresolved pay and staffing disputes that date back to December 2025. They have vowed to press ahead on 26 February unless contract negotiations show concrete progress; a separate 7 March strike by ENAV air-traffic controllers remains on the calendar.
If you’re travelling to Italy around the rescheduled strike and still need to arrange entry documents, VisaHQ can simplify the task: its online platform (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) clarifies Italy’s visa requirements, guides you through the application, and offers courier servicing so you’re not left scrambling if consulate hours change or flights are disrupted.
Impact on travellers: tickets dated 16 February are no longer eligible for penalty-free rebooking under EU261 because the industrial action has been lifted. Companies with group movements around 25-27 February should build contingency time into itineraries and monitor airline waiver policies that may be re-activated closer to the new date.
