Volotea is weighing a temporary closure of its bases in Palermo and Naples from autumn 2026 through summer 2027, in a move that could reshape staffing and capacity in southern Italy. The discussion remains open, with no final decision taken, while the airline and labour officials examine support measures for employees and possible transfers to other Italian bases.
The issue emerged after a meeting with Italy’s labour ministry and the Uiltrasporti union, which is pressing for clarity on how many workers could be affected. The union is also seeking confirmation on whether staff could move to Florence, Verona and Ancona, and wants stronger compensation for those who volunteer for relocation.
Talks are set to continue on 29 September, providing a near-term checkpoint for the plan. Any temporary withdrawal from Palermo and Naples would carry operational consequences for Volotea’s route network, crew allocation and seasonal flying programme across the country, particularly during the busy summer period.