A double whammy of aviation strikes is set to occur over the Easter holiday period, meaning Europe’s travel sector will be hit by a walkout of transport workers in Italy and simultaneous industrial action by air traffic controllers in Greece, on 9 April 2025.
The Italian Federation of Transport Workers (FILT), the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL) and the Italian Union of Transport (UIL), are behind the strikes in Italy, which will affect EasyJet due to their flight attendants withdrawing labour for four hours. Flights to and from Milan and Naples are expected to be disrupted, Easyjet told The Independent.
“We would like to reassure customers that we are doing all possible to minimise any disruption as a result of the strike action and should any flights be impacted we will be contacting customers directly with their options to help rearrange their plans,” the airline said.
✈ #News | #sciopero | #Aereo
— Luceverde Infomobilità (@LuceverdeInfo) April 7, 2025
📅 Mercoledì #9aprile sciopero Nazionale di 4 ore a rischio alcuni servizi aeroportuali degli aeroporti di #Malpensa, #Linate e aeroporto di #Palermo
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Italy has already been through a wave of industrial action in March that saw education, health, rail and public transport all affected by work-to-rule orders and walkouts. Employees want better and more equal wages, improvements to working conditions and labour protections, more funding for public services.
Meanwhile, passengers planning to take commercial flights to Greece are also likely to suffer as a result of a 24-hour stoppage called by public sector employee federation ADEDY in which Greek air traffic controllers are due to participate. The action is intended to protest an ongoing surge in tourism to the Hellenic Republic despite staff being stymied by recruitment issues and outdated equipment, including surveillance and communication systems.
Hi Ross, I understand your concern about possible delays and cancellations. easyJet is aware of the strike planned to take place. We advise customers to check the status of their flights on our Flight Tracker page. You can find the flight tracker here 🌐 https://t.co/GuIzfnoWuy
— easyJet (@easyJet) April 5, 2025
Up to 80 flights from the UK alone will be impacted, with estimates saying between 11,000 and 13,000 people could find themselves unable to fly. Air Advisor has said Aegean Airlines, Air France British Airways, easyJet, Lufthansa, Ryanair, and TUI will all see schedules disrupted.
The courts in Greece have in the past deemed it illegal for air traffic control workers to take strike action. On 9 April, emergency flights such as those for medical or search and rescue purposes will continue to be served, as well as humanitarian and military missions, according to Greek reporting.
