Travellers warned of Greece and Italy flight disruptions in run up to Easter

EasyJet flight attendants in Italy are going on strike. (Image: Getty)

Strikes in two incredibly popular European holiday destinations are set to cause travel chaos this week. In Italy, easyJet flight attendants have staged a walkout today, April 9, that started at 10:30am local time and will finish at 2:30pm. The action is expected to impact some flights to and from Milan and Naples. It is being led by the Italian Federation of Transport Workers, the Italian General Confederation of Labour, and the Italian Union of Transport.

EasyJet told The Independent: "EasyJet has been formally advised of a four-hour air transport workers strike, including some Italian-based cabin crew unions on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, which is expected to impact some flights to and from Milan and Naples airports. 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."

Greek air traffic controllers are also going on strike. (Image: Getty)

Greek air traffic controllers are set to ground all flights on Wednesday in a 24-hour strike during the Easter holidays.

The public sector union ADEDY organised the nationwide walkout, which said it could not keep up with demand due to outdated equipment and staffing shortages.

The Greek Air Traffic Controllers' Association told The Independent: "Unfortunately, air traffic control in Greece is in a bad situation as we have staffing shortages and equipment problems which cause a lot of delays in the last years and will cause a lot this year as well."

This is expected to cancel 70-80 flights from the UK, stranding 11,200-12,800 Brits meant to be flying with easyJet, British Airways, Ryanair, and TUI Airways, according to AirAdvisor.

More than 20 easyJet flights are due to be cancelled, over 15 British Airways and Ryanair journeys, and over 10 by TUI Airways. Other affected carriers include Aegean Airlines, Air France, and Lufthansa.

People with connections in Greece before flying on to the Middle East, Asia, and Australia will also face disruptions.

Despite these inconveniences, travellers will not receive any financial compensation because the strikes fall under "extraordinary circumstances" that are outside of airlines' control.

However, those affected are entitled to free meals, accommodation, and transit to and from the airport under EU regulations.