This weekend, air travellers and rail passengers in Italy must brace for widespread disruption as strikes hit Milan’s major airports and parts of the rail network.
Airport handling staff at Milan’s Linate and Malpensa airports will stage a 24-hour walkout on Saturday, 14 September, raising the risk of cancelled or delayed flights at two of northern Italy’s busiest air hubs.
The next day, Sunday, 15 September, Trenitalia Intercity train crews in Calabria (southern Italy) will strike from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., potentially disrupting long-distance rail connections.
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Additional local transport walkouts in La Spezia, the province of Pisa, and Umbria on Sunday are also expected – these could cause delays for regional travellers in those areas.
Strikes in September
September is shaping up to be an especially turbulent month for travel in Italy.
With the legally mandated summer strike ban (the franchigia estiva) now over, unions have returned to the picket lines en masse.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has confirmed more than 20 separate transport strikes in Italy during September, affecting aviation, rail and local transit services.
For most visitors, the biggest disruptions are concentrated on two weekends in mid and late September.
The 14–15 September actions mark the first of these major strike waves, to be followed by an even larger nationwide strike on 26 September, when baggage handlers, ground crew and some airline staff (including Volotea airline crews) plan to stop work for 24 hours.
That coordinated late-September action is expected to cause widespread flight delays and cancellations at airports across the country if it goes ahead.
Labor unions say the strikes have been driven by long-running disputes over working conditions, pay agreements and staffing levels across Italy’s transport sector.
Different unions representing various groups – from baggage handlers to train conductors – are staging separate walkouts, which makes the industrial action dispersed across regions and dates.
Even so, the combined impact is highly disruptive for travelers, especially when multiple strike actions overlap or occur back-to-back.
Disruptions at Milan Airports
The strike at Milan’s two airports on 14 September involves the ground handling staff – the crews responsible for check-in services, baggage handling, and other on-the-ground operations.
Unions (including USB Lavoro Privato) called this 24-hour action to protest staffing shortages and unresolved contract issues, targeting workers of the Airport Handling company that services numerous airlines at both Linate and Malpensa.
As a result, flight schedules at these airports will be thinned out and many services slowed.
Airlines are consolidating flights where possible and warning of day-long knock-on delays for passengers.
Italian aviation regulations do enforce “minimum service” periods during strikes – typically in the early morning (7–10 a.m.) and early evening (6–9 p.m.) – during which certain flights must still operate.
This means Milan’s airports will not completely shut down; crucially, they remain open, and essential functions like air traffic control and security screening are not part of the strike.
However, outside those protected hours airlines have leeway to cancel or reschedule flights, so travelers should expect reduced operations and delays. Long lines at check-in and baggage drop counters are likely throughout the day, and some flights (especially on short-haul or leisure routes) may be cancelled outright to cope with limited staffing.
Baggage delivery is expected to be a major bottleneck – arriving passengers could face extended waits for luggage, as only skeleton crews will be handling baggage sorting.
Overall, passengers flying via Linate or Malpensa on Saturday should plan for slower processing at every step of their journey.
Rail Service Walkouts on Sunday
On Sunday 15 September, the focus shifts to Italy’s railways. Trenitalia Intercity (IC) staff in Calabria (the southwestern “toe” of Italy) will walk off the job from 09:00 to 17:00, a strike window that could suspend or delay Intercity train services connecting to the Calabria region.
These long-distance Intercity trains are an important link between southern Italy and the rest of the country, so the strike may disrupt travel plans for anyone heading to or from cities in Calabria during those hours.
It’s advisable for rail travelers in the south to check if their specific train is an Intercity on those routes, as regional and high-speed trains might not be directly affected by that particular strike (the action is limited to the Intercity category of staff).
In addition, a series of local transport strikes are scheduled on Sunday in other parts of Italy.
Authorities have indicated that separate 24-hour walkouts in the La Spezia area (Liguria), in Pisa province (Tuscany), and in Umbria could all cause regional delays or reduced service on 15 September.
These local strikes are in the public transport sector – for example, local bus companies or regional rail operators – and will mainly affect intra-city or short-distance travel in those specific areas.
Travelers planning to use public transportation in or around La Spezia (including the Cinque Terre region), Pisa, or within Umbria on Sunday should be prepared for interruptions.
As with the national strikes, Italy’s rules on guaranteed minimum services will apply to essential local transport, but one should still expect gaps in service frequency and possibly crowded alternatives during off-peak hours.
Why It Matters for Travelers
For anyone flying in or out of Milan, or relying on Italy’s rail network this weekend, significant delays or last-minute cancellations are a very real possibility.
Being aware of the strikes and planning accordingly can save travelers from severe headaches.
Here are some tips to navigate the disruption:
- Stay informed: Check directly with your airline or train operator for the latest updates on schedule changes or cancellations before and on the day of travel. Airlines and rail companies often post travel alerts, and Italy’s official strike calendar is available online for up-to-date strike announcements.
- Allow extra time & pack light: If you must travel during the strike, arrive at the airport or train station early. Expect longer lines at check-in, security, and ticket counters. Traveling with carry-on luggage only (if possible) can help you bypass potential baggage delays. With limited ground staff, checked baggage may take much longer than usual to be loaded or delivered.
- Travel outside strike hours or reroute if possible: If your schedule is flexible, consider adjusting your itinerary to avoid the strike periods. For example, you might book flights departing in the early morning or late evening, which are more likely to operate during the mandated protected hours. Likewise, rail passengers might plan journeys for early morning or after the strike ends in the evening. Another strategy is to route your travel through unaffected airports or by using alternate transport (such as long-distance buses or driving) for that day. In some cases, simply postponing a trip by a day or taking an earlier train could make the difference between a smooth journey and a disrupted one.
- Take advantage of rebooking options: Many airlines and train operators offer fee-free changes or rescheduling for travelers hit by strikes. Monitor your airline’s app or website for any travel waivers, and don’t hesitate to contact customer service to rearrange your plans. If a flight is cancelled due to the strike, EU air passenger rights rules (EC 261) require airlines to offer alternatives or refunds, though cash compensation might not apply if the strike is deemed an “extraordinary circumstance.” Ensure you have any important notifications (SMS, email) enabled so you receive updates on your booking status.
Italy’s transport system may be facing a rough weekend, but informed passengers who prepare alternative plans and timing can still reach their destinations with manageable inconvenience.