Two separate strike actions are confirmed for Italy this September, affecting air and ground transport at different points in the month. If you are travelling to or within Rome — or anywhere in Italy — check your booking dates against both windows.
Strike 1: Aviation — 13 September 2026
A national aviation strike is called for 13 September 2026, affecting flights operated by Italian-based carriers and ground handling staff at major Italian airports, including Rome Fiumicino (FCO), Milan Malpensa (MXP), Pisa Galilei (PSA), and Florence Peretola (FLR).
What this means for travellers:
- Flights departing between approximately 10:00 and 18:00 carry the highest cancellation risk during aviation strikes. Flights outside this window are sometimes protected under minimum service rules, though airlines handle this inconsistently.
- Long-haul carriers operating on their own national registrations (e.g. a US carrier operating a US-registered aircraft) are less directly affected, but feeder connections and ground handling remain at risk.
- Check your airline’s app or website from 12 September for notification of your specific flight status.
If your flight is cancelled and you are flying with an EU carrier or on a flight departing an EU airport, you are entitled to re-routing or a full refund under EC 261/2004. You may not be entitled to compensation if the strike qualifies as an extraordinary circumstance under Italian law — this is contested ground and airlines often apply it inconsistently. If your carrier cannot rebook you promptly, search for alternative flights to Italy across carriers.
Strike 2: General Transport — 25–26 September 2026
A wider general transport strike is scheduled for 25–26 September 2026, covering trains (Trenitalia, Italo, and regional services), buses, metro systems, and ferries across most Italian regions. This is a coordinated national action.
During general transport strikes, minimum service guarantees apply: in practice, intercity trains typically operate a skeleton timetable limited to early morning and early evening departures. Urban metros and buses may run limited services before 08:30 and after 17:00.
What to Do
- Move bookings now: if you can reschedule travel on 13 September or 25–26 September at no cost, do so. Most online booking platforms allow changes for disruption-related reasons.
- Allow extra time: even partial strikes cause knock-on delays throughout the day.
- Check Trenitalia and Italo directly for updated timetables as the dates approach.
Our guide to getting around Italy covers train booking, airport transfers, and how to use Italy’s rail network, all of which remain relevant once the strike windows pass. If either disruption window affects pre-paid accommodation or connecting flights, travel insurance for Italy can cover costs that passenger rights regulations leave unaddressed.