Italy is preparing for widespread transport disruption at the end of May after several base unions confirmed plans for a nationwide 24-hour general strike affecting air travel, rail services, ferries, local transport and motorway operations.
The strike is scheduled for Friday 29 May 2026 and is expected to cause significant delays and cancellations across multiple sectors of the country’s transport network.
Nationwide Strike To Affect Multiple Transport Sectors
According to Italy’s Ministry of Transport strike register, air-traffic personnel will stop work from 00:00 to 23:59 on 29 May.
Rail workers are expected to strike from 21:00 on 28 May until 21:00 on 29 May, while ferry crews serving smaller islands will also participate throughout the day.
Motorway service-area employees are scheduled to strike between 22:00 on 28 May and 22:00 on 29 May.
Local public transport systems will operate according to territorial schedules, with limited guaranteed service periods likely during peak commuter hours.
Flights And Rail Services Expected To Face Disruption
Major airports including Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa are expected to experience cancellations and operational delays as airlines adjust schedules.
Air carriers are anticipated to publish lists of protected flights approximately 48 hours before the strike begins, although demand for alternative flights could quickly reduce seat availability.
Rail operators Trenitalia and Italo are expected to operate reduced “essential services” timetables during the industrial action.
Urban transport systems in cities including Rome, Milan and Florence are likely to guarantee limited service only during morning and late-afternoon rush hours.
Freight And Business Travel Could Also Be Impacted
The strike is also expected to affect freight transport and supply chains, with possible delays at motorway toll plazas and restrictions on exceptional transport movements.
Companies moving goods through Italy or coordinating employee travel between Italian cities may face logistical disruption throughout the strike period.
Businesses with time-sensitive shipments are being advised to consider alternative routing through neighbouring countries or moving freight ahead of schedule.
Unions Cite Political And Labour Concerns
The strike has been organised by a coalition of unions including CUB, SGB, ADL Varese, SI-Cobas and USI-CIT.
Union representatives said the protest is aimed at government policies linked to military spending, insecure employment conditions and security measures they claim restrict public dissent.
Although politically motivated, the scale of the mobilisation is expected to create widespread operational challenges for travellers, transport operators and businesses across Italy.
