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September is shaping up to be a disruptive month for travellers in Italy.
With the legally mandated strike ban from late July to early September (franchigia estiva) now over, unions are returning to the picket line.
Airports in Milan and national rail services are expected to be among the worst affected by upcoming industrial action, with walkouts scheduled for this weekend, as well as 26 September.
Why are strikes resuming now?
The industrial action comes after weeks of relative calm, when strikes affecting essential public services were suspended to protect holiday travel. Now that the exemption period has ended, more than 20 separate September walkouts have been confirmed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, affecting aviation, rail and local transport.
For most visitors, the biggest disruption will come on two weekends in mid and late September.
The first major disruption falls this weekend, 14-15 September. On Saturday, airport handling staff at Milan’s Linate and Malpensa airports will stage a 24-hour strike, raising the risk of cancelled or delayed flights at two of northern Italy’s busiest hubs.
The following day, workers for Trenitalia Intercity and IC in Calabria will walk out between 9 am and 5 pm, potentially affecting southern rail connections. Local walkouts in La Spezia, the province of Pisa and Umbria could cause delays in those regions as well.
Even greater disruption is expected on 26 September, when several nationwide aviation strikes are set to take place at the same time. Baggage handlers, ground staff and Volotea airline crews are due to stop work for 24 hours, a coordinated action that is expected to cause long waits, delays and cancellations at airports across the country.
The strikes have been sparked by disputes over working conditions, pay agreements and staffing levels across Italy’s transport sector. With multiple unions representing different groups, from baggage handlers to train crews, the action is dispersed but still disruptive, especially during nationwide walkouts such as those occurring on 26 September.
How to stay informed
Travellers should check directly with their airline or train operator before departure.
For a comprehensive list of all announced strikes, including dates and affected services, travellers can visit the official Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport strike calendar.
With two major strike weekends falling just weeks apart, anyone travelling to or through Italy in September should expect longer journeys and plan ahead when possible.