by InTrieste
Italy is bracing for widespread travel disruption in the final days of February as a wave of strikes is set to hit the country’s aviation and rail sectors, forcing airlines to cancel flights and raising the prospect of significant delays for millions of passengers.
A nationwide aviation strike is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 26, followed by a 24-hour rail stoppage beginning the evening of Friday, Feb. 27, and lasting through Saturday, Feb. 28. Together, the actions are expected to affect both domestic travel and international connections at one of the busiest times of the winter season.
Air Travel Strike Set for Feb. 26
The aviation walkout, called by the union Cub Trasporti, will last 24 hours and involve workers across the sector, including ground-handling staff and airport personnel.
The strike had originally been planned for Feb. 16 but was postponed after an intervention by Italy’s deputy premier and transport minister, Matteo Salvini, who pushed the date back to avoid overlapping with logistical preparations tied to the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Several airline-specific labor actions are scheduled to take place simultaneously.
Personnel from ITA Airways, along with pilots and flight attendants from easyJet, will participate in a full-day strike from 12:01 a.m. to midnight, supported by multiple transport unions.
In addition, a four-hour strike organized by Usb Lavoro Privato will involve flight and ground crews from ITA Airways, easyJet and Vueling Airlines between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
ITA Airways Cancels More Than Half of Flights
ITA Airways, Italy’s national carrier, said the labor action would have a “significant impact” on operations. The airline has already canceled about 55 percent of its scheduled flights for Feb. 26, with some knock-on disruptions expected on the preceding and following days.
The carrier advised passengers to check flight status through its official website or via travel agents before heading to the airport.
Travelers holding tickets for Feb. 26 may rebook without penalty or request a full refund — provided their flight is canceled or delayed by more than five hours — as long as they submit requests by March 8.
Rail Strike to Follow
Disruption is expected to shift to Italy’s rail network beginning at 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, when a separate 24-hour strike takes effect.
The stoppage will affect services operated by Trenitalia, Italo and Trenord, according to statements from the infrastructure manager Rete Ferroviaria Italiana.
Union groups, including Cub Trasporti and Sgb, have called for workers in freight and local rail services to strike from late Friday evening until shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday. Train drivers and onboard staff from Italy’s state rail group are expected to participate during the same window.
A separate eight-hour strike affecting rail freight operations is scheduled earlier, beginning at 10 p.m. on Feb. 27 and continuing into the early hours of the following morning.
A Weekend of Disruptions
Taken together, the aviation and rail strikes are expected to create a challenging travel environment across Italy, particularly for passengers connecting between flights and trains.
Authorities and transport operators have urged travelers to monitor official updates and allow extra time for journeys, warning that delays and last-minute schedule changes are likely in the days surrounding the strike actions.
