Airline strike today, July 10: What to do in case of delays or cancellations

The air transport strike today, Thursday, July 10, will involve several Italian airports and cause significant disruption . The protest will last 24 hours.

What are the rights of passengers?

How can you prepare for flight delays or cancellations, and what rights can passengers exercise? "It's impossible to make precise estimates of the number of flights that will be affected, but it's certainly conceivable that many flights scheduled to operate within Italy could be delayed or even canceled by airlines," says Andrea Giordano, a lawyer specializing in passenger rights and co-founder, with Piero Armetta, of Rimborsamitu, an online portal that informs consumers of their rights and makes the refund process easy and accessible. "Therefore, it's essential to monitor the flight status through the airlines' official channels to determine whether the booked flight will operate as scheduled."

According to Rimborsamitu, an airline staff strike is not considered an exceptional circumstance, as was the case with EasyJet staff on July 10, 2025. Consequently, the passenger is entitled to the protections provided by EC Regulation 261/2004, with the right to a refund ranging from €250 to €600 , depending on the flight route. Conversely, when the strike is initiated by personnel external to the airline, such as handling, security, or airport employees (e.g., Sea, Swissport, Gesap, etc.), it is generally classified as an exceptional circumstance. In this case, the disruption does not automatically entitle the passenger to financial compensation (from €250 to €600), as it constitutes an exceptional circumstance.

According to European Regulation No. 261/2004, if your flight is canceled or significantly delayed due to an air strike, you are still entitled to assistance, including meals, refreshments, communications , and, if necessary, hotel accommodations with transfers . You can also request two phone calls, a fax, or an email. You can also receive a ticket refund or rerouting. How to file a complaint: support from claim companies. Passengers have two options: first, contact the airline via its official website (refunds or claims section), its call center, or at the airport counter (if you are already there) and immediately complete the EU refund request form (usually downloadable from the airline's website). Keep your boarding pass or booking, cancellation notices (email/text), and receipts for any expenses incurred.

The obligations of the company

Typically, the airline must issue a refund to the original payment method within 7 days of the cancellation. If they offer a voucher, you can decline and request a cash refund. Alternatively, you can use a company like RimborsamiTu to assert your rights, in just 2 minutes and through a completely free service. Requesting a refund is easy: fill out the form on the platform https://rimborsamitu.it/, answering a few short questions to describe the disruption you experienced. Once the complaint is received, the team will immediately analyze the flight status and applicable regulations.

A personalized response is sent via email within 24 hours, detailing the outcome of the assessment and determining whether the passenger is entitled to a refund or compensation. A team of specialized lawyers then promptly initiates contact with the airline to obtain the compensation the passenger is entitled to. The passenger receives constant updates on the status of the case, always relying on a dedicated legal team, up to the IBAN request and the payment of compensation. Although the entire process is conducted online and via email, the customer is contacted by phone within 24-48 hours, while telephone support is always available.

"We offer a free service to passengers: consumer law allows airlines to shoulder legal costs. For us, this service is a mission. Eight years ago, when we started, only 6-8% of travelers requested compensation. Today, this percentage has risen to 30-35%," continues Piero Armetta, co-founder of RimborsamiTu.

Some practical advice for passengers departing or arriving on July 10th: contact your airline to check flight status; check the list of guaranteed flights on the official ENAC website; check flight status on airport websites; and keep all travel documentation, which is useful for any refund or complaint requests.