October 1, 2026 — ITA Airways (AZ) cancelled about 29% of its scheduled flights on Wednesday, September 30, because of a nationwide air traffic control strike in Italy. Passengers whose flights were hit have until October 7 to claim a refund in qualifying cases.
What happened
- Strike window: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on September 30, 2026.
- Who walked out: Air traffic control staff of ENAV, Italy’s air navigation provider, nationwide; Techno Sky staff in the same four-hour window; plus separate local actions at Milan Linate, Naples, Bologna and Bari.
- Protected hours: Under Italian rules, flights between 7:00–10:00 a.m. and 6:00–9:00 p.m. keep operating during strikes.
- ITA’s response: Customers with cancelled or significantly changed flights can rebook without penalty or, where they qualify, ask for a refund by October 7, 2026.
What it means for non-revs
- The knock-on effect lasts longer than the strike. Rebooked passengers fill seats on the following days, so standby out of Italy can stay tight for a couple of days after any strike.
- Use the protected windows. On future Italian strike days, flights in the 7–10 a.m. and 6–9 p.m. slots are the safest bets.
- Check Italy’s strike calendar before you go. Italian aviation strikes are announced in advance; avoid listing on those dates if your trip can move.
