Italy faces a fresh wave of transport disruption as grassroots unions CUB, USB, COBAS and UNICOBAS prepare a 24-hour general strike for Friday, 28 November 2025—coinciding with Black Friday, one of the year’s busiest shopping and travel days. The walk-out covers both public- and private-sector workers, but its most immediate impact will be felt by business travellers and holiday-makers who rely on rail and air connections.
In Tuscany, Toscana Aeroporti has warned of possible cancellations at Florence-Peretola and Pisa-Galileo Galilei airports. Although Italy’s civil-aviation authority ENAC mandates “protected” flight slots (07:00-10:00 and 18:00-19:00), ground-handling shortages frequently cascade into all-day delays. Long-distance and regional trains operated by Trenitalia, Italo and Trenord will run only during the legally guaranteed windows—06:00-09:00 and 18:00-21:00—leaving large gaps in service. Trenord has already scheduled emergency buses between Milan Cadorna and Malpensa Airport should airport-link trains be withdrawn.
![Nationwide Black Friday strike poised to ground trains and flights across Italy]()
The unions say they are protesting the government’s draft 2026 Budget and expressing solidarity with Palestinians. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, who recently capped a previous rail strike at four hours, has not (so far) issued an injunction to shorten Friday’s stoppage, raising fears that the full 24-hour action will proceed.
For mobility managers the timing is awkward: Black Friday signals the start of Italy’s winter retail season and coincides with a heavy influx of foreign visitors. Companies with inbound assignees or client meetings this weekend should move travellers onto Thursday evening flights or protected Friday slots, re-route through hubs such as Zurich or Vienna, and confirm hotel flexibility. Rail-dependent commuters between Milan, Bologna, Florence and Rome should build in at least half-day buffers to itineraries.
If the strike goes ahead at full strength it will be Italy’s second nationwide stoppage in as many weeks, underscoring a tense labour climate that could see additional actions before the end-of-year holidays. Global mobility teams should therefore monitor union calendars and keep contingency budgets for taxis, hotel nights and re-ticketing fees.
In Tuscany, Toscana Aeroporti has warned of possible cancellations at Florence-Peretola and Pisa-Galileo Galilei airports. Although Italy’s civil-aviation authority ENAC mandates “protected” flight slots (07:00-10:00 and 18:00-19:00), ground-handling shortages frequently cascade into all-day delays. Long-distance and regional trains operated by Trenitalia, Italo and Trenord will run only during the legally guaranteed windows—06:00-09:00 and 18:00-21:00—leaving large gaps in service. Trenord has already scheduled emergency buses between Milan Cadorna and Malpensa Airport should airport-link trains be withdrawn.
The unions say they are protesting the government’s draft 2026 Budget and expressing solidarity with Palestinians. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, who recently capped a previous rail strike at four hours, has not (so far) issued an injunction to shorten Friday’s stoppage, raising fears that the full 24-hour action will proceed.
For mobility managers the timing is awkward: Black Friday signals the start of Italy’s winter retail season and coincides with a heavy influx of foreign visitors. Companies with inbound assignees or client meetings this weekend should move travellers onto Thursday evening flights or protected Friday slots, re-route through hubs such as Zurich or Vienna, and confirm hotel flexibility. Rail-dependent commuters between Milan, Bologna, Florence and Rome should build in at least half-day buffers to itineraries.
If the strike goes ahead at full strength it will be Italy’s second nationwide stoppage in as many weeks, underscoring a tense labour climate that could see additional actions before the end-of-year holidays. Global mobility teams should therefore monitor union calendars and keep contingency budgets for taxis, hotel nights and re-ticketing fees.
