Italy’s transport network, from airlines to local buses, is experiencing one of the busiest periods of industrial action in recent years. Over the course of February, dozens of strikes have been scheduled across different transport sectors, creating uncertainty for both residents and visitors.
The most impactful of these have unfolded over the past two days. In fact yesterday it happened a nationwide airline strike on Thursday 26 February. And it has been followed by a national rail strike beginning Friday evening and running through Saturday.
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Why Italian Transport Sector Seems Always On Strike
The action is part of a broader campaign by several unions representing workers in aviation, rail, and ground services. At the core of the unrest are longstanding grievances over wages, contract negotiations, staffing levels and working conditions. Transport workers say have not kept pace with rising living costs and the demands of their jobs.
Although Italy’s laws allow for minimum service levels, the scale of the walkouts this month has nonetheless translated into significant disruptions across the country’s transport infrastructure.
Nationwide Railway Strike: What Travellers Should Expect
From 21:00 on Friday 27 February until 20:59 on Saturday 28 February, Italy is experiencing a nationwide rail strike. It it involving crews and staff from major operators including Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane and Italo.
This means that train services will be operating under heavily reduced schedules. Even outside the main strike hours, passengers should be prepared for **disruptions, delays and cancellations** on many routes:
- Many intercity and high-speed services will either not run or be rescheduled on short notice.
- Regional trains may operate irregularly, with departures outside protected windows at risk of cancellation.
- Timetables are subject to change rapidly as staff availability fluctuates and carriers adjust operations in real time.
Although “minimum service” requirements exist under Italian law, these only guarantee a small number of trains during this morning and evening windows. And even then, delays remain common during large-scale industrial actions. Travellers planning to use the rail network this weekend should check the official websites or apps of their rail carriers before departing, as schedules continue to shift in response to the strike.
The strike’s broader impact isn’t limited to trains alone; connections to buses, airport links, and intermodal services may also be affected, particularly around major hubs such as Rome, Milan, Florence and Naples. It’s also possible that residual delays could extend beyond the official strike window, as operators catch up on backlogs once normal service resumes.
Yesterday’s Airline Strike and Ongoing Effects
Before rail services were hit, the aviation sector experienced significant disruption on Thursday 26 February. It is dued to a separate 24-hour strike involving airline employees and ground-handling staff at many of Italy’s busiest airports.
Major carriers such as ITA Airways, easyJet and Vueling were among those affected, with reports indicating that around half of all scheduled flights were cancelled on the strike day.
Even though the most intense part of the airline strike has passed, its effects may continue to be felt today and into the weekend for a few reasons:
- Aircraft rotations disrupted on Thursday can delay flights scheduled later in the week.
- Crew and staff scheduling may remain tight if workers are still reaching required rest limits.
- Bunching of flights due to cancellations can affect airport operations and slot assignments for departing and arriving aircraft.
For travellers flying after 26 February means checking flight status in real time. Delays and last-minute schedule changes remain a possibility even if your flight is not directly on a strike day.
Where to Get Real-Time Updates
To avoid unpleasant surprises and make informed travel decisions during this period of industrial action, visiting reliable official sources is critically important. Here’s where to stay updated:
- Airline websites & apps — check flight status and rebooking options.
- National rail operators’ official portals — live service updates, lists of guaranteed trains and route changes.
- Local transport agencies in major cities such as Rome, Milan, Florence and Naples — for transit alerts and disruption notices.
- The Italian Ministry of Transport’s official strike calendar — announcements and legal strike notices.
Staying ahead of developments will help minimise the risk of travel disruptions. It gives you peace of mind as you navigate Italy’s transport system during this exceptionally turbulent time.
