ITA Airways cancels over half its scheduled flights due to strike.
Italy is braced for major travel disruption due to a series of strikes affecting the country’s transport system on the last three days of February.
A strike in the aviation sector is scheduled for Thursday 26 February, followed by rail transport disruptions from the evening of Friday 27 February until the evening of Saturday 28 February.
Significant inconvenience is expected for both domestic travellers and those flying out of the country. Here’s what you need to know.
Air travel strike (26 February)
The walkout on 26 February was originally scheduled for 16 February but was postponed by 10 days due to an injunction by deputy premier and transport minister Matteo Salvini, who pushed the date back to avoid clashing with the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
ITA Airways, easyJet and Vueling
Thursday’s 24-hour strike, called by Cub Trasporti, will affect workers across the aviation and airport sectors, including ground handling. Several other mobilisations are happening simultaneously:
Personnel from ITA Airways along with pilots and flight attendants from easyJet (backed by trade unions Filt-Cgil, Fit-Cisl, Uilt-Uil, Ugl T.A, Anpac, and Anp) will strike from 00.01 to 24.00 on Thursday.
An additional four-hour strike called by Usb Lavoro Privato will involve flight and ground crews from ITA Airways, easyJet, and Vueling Airlines will be held from 13.00 to 17.00 on Thursday.
ITA Airways cancels 55 per cent of flights
The national carrier has warned of a severe impact on operations. Due to the 24-hour national strike, ITA Airways said it has been forced to cancel around 55 per cent of its scheduled flights for 26 February, with some disruptions also affecting 25 and 27 February.
Travel advice
Passengers are urged to check their flight status on the official ITA Airways website or through their travel agency before heading to the airport.
Those with tickets for 26 February can rebook without penalty or request a full refund (if the flight is cancelled or delayed by more than five hours) by 8 March.
Rail strike (27-28 February)
The disruption shifts to the tracks with a 24-hour strike starting from the evening of Friday 27 February and continuing through Saturday.
The strike is set to affect services operated by Trenitalia, Italo and Trenord, and “may lead to changes to services, including before and after its conclusion”, according to a statement on the Rete Ferroviaria Italiana website.
Union Cub Trasporti/Sgb has called for a strike on freight and local rail transport from 21.00 on Friday 27 Feb until 20.59 on Saturday 28 February.
The National Assembly of Pdm/Pdb (train drivers and onboard staff) of the FSI Group will also strike during this same 24-hour window.
An eight-hour strike for rail freight is scheduled from 10.00 on 27 February until to 05.59 the next morning.
