In short: Flying to Italy from elsewhere in Europe, a delay of 3 hours or more is worth €250–€400 per passenger on typical routes (EU261, any airline); from the UK £220–£350 under UK261. On the way home, EU261 covers every flight leaving Italy.
Your rights each way
| Direction | Rules | Covered airlines | 3h+ delay / late cancellation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Another EU/EEA country or Switzerland → Italy | EU261 | any airline | €250–€400 |
| Italy → another EU/EEA country or Switzerland | EU261 | any airline | €250–€400 |
| UK → Italy | UK261 | any airline | £220–£350 |
| Italy → UK | EU261 | any airline | €250–€400 |
| Outside Europe → Italy | EU261 | only an EU airline | by distance, up to €600 |
Amounts are per passenger and depend on the great-circle distance between your airports – the ranges cover the busiest routes. Whatever the cause, from 2 hours’ delay the airline must provide meals and drinks, and a hotel if you are stuck overnight – where EU261 or UK261 applies. Living in Italy or flying from there? See how to claim in Italy.
Check your flight to or from Italy
Two minutes, free, no sign-up.
Airports in Italy
| Airport | Passengers 2024* | ATFM delay per arrival 2025 | Main cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rome Fiumicino (FCO) | 36,389,259 | 0.04 min | weather (74%) |
| Milan Malpensa (MXP) | 20,667,057 | 0.36 min | environmental issues (49%) |
| Milan Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY) | 15,571,200 | 0.22 min | weather (69%) |
| Catania (CTA) | 11,567,557 | 0.25 min | equipment (ATC) (38%) |
| Naples (NAP) | 10,715,858 | 2.34 min | environmental issues (36%) |
| Milan Linate (LIN) | 10,353,625 | 0.29 min | weather (86%) |
| Venice Marco Polo (VCE) | 9,554,941 | 0.10 min | other (75%) |
| Bologna (BLQ) | 9,139,796 | 0.05 min | weather (41%) |
| Palermo (PMO) | 8,421,017 | 0.06 min | aerodrome capacity (51%) |
| Bari (BRI) | 6,429,556 | – | – |
| Pisa (PSA) | 4,885,455 | 0.32 min | aerodrome capacity (61%) |
| Cagliari (CAG) | 4,686,781 | – | – |
| Turin (TRN) | 4,464,249 | 0.00 min | accident/incident (100%) |
| Rome Ciampino (CIA) | 3,590,275 | 0.16 min | other (54%) |
| Olbia (OLB) | 3,505,748 | – | – |
| Florence (FLR) | 3,351,892 | – | – |
| Brindisi (BDS) | 3,215,359 | 0.00 min | – |
| Verona (VRN) | 2,987,020 | – | – |
| Venice Treviso (TSF) | 2,842,277 | 0.00 min | – |
| Lamezia Terme (SUF) | 2,570,179 | – | – |
| Alghero (AHO) | 1,479,019 | – | – |
| Genoa (GOA) | 1,303,231 | – | – |
| Trieste (TRS) | 1,298,677 | – | – |
| Trapani (TPS) | 975,788 | – | – |
| Pescara (PSR) | 806,159 | – | – |
| Reggio Calabria (REG) | 583,733 | – | – |
| Ancona (AOI) | 525,093 | – | – |
| Perugia (PEG) | 481,904 | – | – |
| Lampedusa (LMP) | 296,750 | – | – |
| Rimini (RMI) | 287,523 | – | – |
* Passengers on routes reported to Eurostat (both directions).
Routes from the UK to Italy
From the UK: in the CAA’s 2025 data the busiest Italian destinations from UK airports were Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Venice, Naples and Pisa. Flights departing from Italy are covered by EU261 whatever the airline; flights from the UK to Italy by UK261; flights from Italy to the UK by EU261.
Punctuality of the busiest routes in 2025, from UK Civil Aviation Authority data (departures from UK airports).
| Route | Flights | On time | 3h+ late | Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Heathrow – Rome | 5,465 | 77.4% | 0.27% | 0.82% |
| London Gatwick – Rome | 4,905 | 67.2% | 0.41% | 0.14% |
| London Gatwick – Milan | 4,670 | 70.6% | 1.07% | 0.81% |
| London Heathrow – Milan | 4,466 | 77.1% | 0.24% | 1.39% |
| London City – Milan | 4,394 | 82.2% | 0.09% | 0.86% |
| London Heathrow – Venice | 3,337 | 77.6% | 0.33% | 0.63% |
| London Stansted – Rome | 3,283 | 76.1% | 0.15% | 0.00% |
| London Stansted – Milan | 2,888 | 61.1% | 0.41% | 0.14% |
| London Heathrow – Milan | 2,176 | 74.3% | 0.45% | 1.27% |
| London Stansted – Milan | 2,117 | 65.7% | 0.33% | 0.61% |
| London Gatwick – Naples | 2,027 | 70.4% | 0.79% | 1.12% |
| London Stansted – Venice | 1,967 | 61.2% | 0.35% | 0.25% |
| London Heathrow – Bologna | 1,959 | 79.2% | 0.25% | 1.06% |
| London Stansted – Pisa | 1,939 | 62.2% | 0.46% | 0.05% |
| Manchester – Milan | 1,629 | 62.3% | 0.73% | 1.21% |
| London Gatwick – Verona | 1,628 | 69.4% | 0.12% | 0.25% |
| London Gatwick – Florence | 1,573 | 75.8% | 0.19% | 1.63% |
| London Gatwick – Catania | 1,495 | 63.5% | 0.47% | 0.33% |
| London Gatwick – Venice | 1,442 | 78.7% | 0.41% | 0.48% |
| London City – Florence | 1,388 | 68.5% | 0.50% | 1.07% |
Busiest European routes
- Madrid Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas – Rome Fiumicino1,979,946 pax
- Rome Fiumicino – Catania1,941,657 pax
- Barcelona El Prat – Rome Fiumicino1,706,636 pax
- Rome Fiumicino – Palermo1,675,982 pax
- Barcelona El Prat – Milan Malpensa1,287,761 pax
- Rome Fiumicino – Paris Orly1,185,444 pax
- Rome Fiumicino – Milan Linate1,054,328 pax
- Rome Fiumicino – Paris Charles de Gaulle967,603 pax
- Madrid Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas – Milan Malpensa957,358 pax
- Milan Malpensa – Catania946,877 pax
- Catania – Milan Linate915,816 pax
- Paris Charles de Gaulle – Milan Malpensa898,970 pax
- Rome Fiumicino – Athens898,550 pax
- Rome Fiumicino – Cagliari790,268 pax
- Istanbul – Milan Malpensa774,884 pax
- Paris Charles de Gaulle – Milan Linate761,818 pax
- Amsterdam Schiphol – Rome Fiumicino759,526 pax
- Milan Malpensa – Palermo747,125 pax
- Milan Bergamo Orio al Serio – Tirana697,715 pax
- Paris Charles de Gaulle – Venice Marco Polo696,348 pax
Why flights to Italy are delayed
In 2025, air traffic flow restrictions held back arrivals at Italy’s airports by 0.31 minutes per flight on average (EUROCONTROL, 14 airports). The worst month was Jul. Air traffic control strikes affected arrivals on 10 days since 2024, most recently 30 September 2026.
Causes of air traffic flow delay (2025)
Average ATFM delay per arrival by month (min)
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Weather and air traffic control restrictions are usually extraordinary circumstances – but the airline must show they caused your delay. Check what happened on your travel day.
Strikes
- 2026-11-20: general strike (CGIL), also affecting air transport – nationwide (announced)
- 2026-11-21: ENAV air traffic controllers (FILT-CGIL, UGL-TA) – nationwide (announced)
- 2026-11-22: ENAV controllers at Malpensa (Fast-Confsal); Sicuritalia IVRI security staff at Venice Marco Polo (Fisascat-Cisl) – Milan Malpensa, Venice (announced)
- 2026-11-22: Toscana Aeroporti, GH Toscana and Consulta staff (USB Lavoro Privato) – Pisa and Florence (announced)
- 2026-12-04: general strike (CUB, SGB, SI-COBAS and others) – nationwide (announced)
- 2026-12-14: ground handling (Aviation Services, FAST-Confsal) – Rome Fiumicino and Ciampino (announced)
Air transport is an essential public service (Law 146/1990). At least 10 days’ notice is required and strikes are listed in the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport’s strike register. All scheduled departures between 07:00–10:00 and 18:00–21:00 must operate, and ENAC publishes a list of other guaranteed flights before each strike. No air transport strikes are allowed in set periods (18 December–7 January, 24 April–2 May, 27 June–4 July, 27 July–5 September, 30 October–5 November, and around Easter and elections). National air traffic control (ENAV) strikes usually run 13:00–17:00.
Strikes in Italy · Strike calendar
Where to complain
- The airline first – in writing, with your booking reference. Use our complaint letter generator.
- National enforcement body: ENAC – Ente Nazionale per l’Aviazione Civile (Air Passenger Rights Directorate) – Complaints must be filed through ENAC’s online portal. ENAC uses them to check and sanction airlines; a complaint to ENAC is not a way to obtain compensation or a refund..
- Dispute resolution: To claim compensation or a refund, use the Transport Regulatory Authority’s (ART) dispute settlement service through the ConciliaWeb platform, in person or through a representative.
- From the UK: if you flew from a UK airport or with a UK airline, you can also use UK ADR, the CAA or the small claims court.
Tips for flying to Italy
- On a strike day, flights departing 07:00–10:00 or 18:00–21:00 are guaranteed; midday flights are the most at risk. ENAC publishes the full list of guaranteed flights before each strike.
- Italian strikes are often postponed or withdrawn a day or two before – check the official MIT strike register (filter “Aereo”) and your airline rather than cancelling yourself.
- ENAC advises sending your complaint to the airline within two years of the flight date – this is ENAC’s guidance for the complaint, not a court limitation period.
- In EUROCONTROL’s 2025 data Naples had by far the highest average arrival flow-control delay of Italy’s large airports.
Frequently asked questions
Am I covered on a flight to Italy?
From anywhere in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, yes: EU261 covers every departing flight, whatever the airline – €250–€400 per passenger on typical routes if you arrive 3 hours or more late. From the UK, UK261 covers every departing flight (£220–£350). From outside Europe you are covered only on an EU airline.
Am I covered on the flight home from Italy?
Italy applies EU261 to every departing flight, so you are covered with any airline (€250–€400 on typical routes).
Who enforces passenger rights in Italy?
ENAC – Ente Nazionale per l’Aviazione Civile (Air Passenger Rights Directorate) – Complaints must be filed through ENAC’s online portal. ENAC uses them to check and sanction airlines; a complaint to ENAC is not a way to obtain compensation or a refund.. Complain to the airline first; if it rejects you or does not answer, you can turn to this body. All national enforcement bodies.
Are strikes covered?
It depends whose staff are on strike. Air traffic control or airport strikes are usually extraordinary circumstances; strikes by the airline’s own staff are not (CJEU C-28/20). See strikes and compensation.
Data: Eurostat 2024, EUROCONTROL, UK Civil Aviation Authority 2025. Information only, not legal advice.
Sources
- National enforcement bodies under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 (updated 13 October 2026) – European Commission
- Modalità di reclamo per negato imbarco, cancellazione, ritardo – ENAC
- ConciliaWeb – dispute settlement service – Autorità di Regolazione dei Trasporti (ART)
- Scioperi nel trasporto aereo – prestazioni minime garantite – ENAC
- Strike register (scioperi) – Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport
- ENAV strike notice, 30 September 2026, 13:00–17:00 – ENAC
- Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 – full text (Article 3: scope; recital 15: air traffic management decisions) – EUR-Lex
- Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 as it applies in the UK (UK261) – Article 3, scope – legislation.gov.uk
- UK flight punctuality statistics 2025 (flights by destination from UK airports) – UK Civil Aviation Authority
- Airport arrival ATFM (flow-control) delay data, 2024–2025 – EUROCONTROL Aviation Intelligence Unit
- Air passenger transport by reporting airport (avia_par), 2024 – Eurostat
- Eurostat – air passenger transport routes between partner airports and main airports (2024) – Eurostat
- EUROCONTROL – airport arrival ATFM delays (open performance data) – EUROCONTROL
- UK flight punctuality statistics 2025 – UK Civil Aviation Authority
We check every rule against the sources above. Spotted an error? Tell us – see our editorial policy.