A powerful Atlantic weather system dubbed the “Christmas Cyclone” swept across the peninsula on 25-26 December, forcing Tuscany’s Florence-Peretola Airport to cancel or heavily delay at least seven departures as winds above 70 km/h made take-off unsafe. Airport union representatives told the press that “hundreds of travellers spent hours in the terminal waiting for alternative arrangements,” while airlines activated re-booking and hotel vouchers in line with EU 261/2004 rules.
The National Civil Protection Department simultaneously issued a red-alert for parts of Emilia-Romagna and orange or yellow alerts for five additional regions. Authorities urged motorists to postpone non-essential road travel and railway operator Trenitalia warned of speed restrictions on key high-speed lines between Bologna and Milan. The situation highlights how extreme weather is now a structural mobility risk in Italy: ENAC data show a 28 % year-on-year rise in weather-related aviation disruptions during the 2025 winter season.
![Christmas storm grounds flights at Florence airport and triggers travel warnings across Italy]()
For companies moving staff in and out of Italy during the holiday period, the storm is a reminder to build flexibility into travel policies. HR mobility managers should: 1) ensure travellers are booked on tickets that allow same-day changes without fare penalties; 2) use multi-channel alerting systems that can reach employees via SMS when regional civil-protection notices are updated; and 3) verify that travel-insurance policies cover “extraordinary meteorological events,” which some corporate policies still exclude.
If sudden itinerary changes leave travellers needing longer stays or new entry permissions, VisaHQ can streamline the process. Through its Italy portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/), the platform lets mobility teams quickly check visa requirements, file extension requests online, and track approvals in real time—minimising compliance headaches when weather upends plans.
Looking ahead, meteorologists at the University of Bologna expect a second low-pressure front to arrive on 30 December, mainly affecting the north-east. Employers with assignees in Trieste, Venice and Udine should anticipate possible closure of regional airports if Bora winds again exceed 90 km/h.
The National Civil Protection Department simultaneously issued a red-alert for parts of Emilia-Romagna and orange or yellow alerts for five additional regions. Authorities urged motorists to postpone non-essential road travel and railway operator Trenitalia warned of speed restrictions on key high-speed lines between Bologna and Milan. The situation highlights how extreme weather is now a structural mobility risk in Italy: ENAC data show a 28 % year-on-year rise in weather-related aviation disruptions during the 2025 winter season.
For companies moving staff in and out of Italy during the holiday period, the storm is a reminder to build flexibility into travel policies. HR mobility managers should: 1) ensure travellers are booked on tickets that allow same-day changes without fare penalties; 2) use multi-channel alerting systems that can reach employees via SMS when regional civil-protection notices are updated; and 3) verify that travel-insurance policies cover “extraordinary meteorological events,” which some corporate policies still exclude.
If sudden itinerary changes leave travellers needing longer stays or new entry permissions, VisaHQ can streamline the process. Through its Italy portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/), the platform lets mobility teams quickly check visa requirements, file extension requests online, and track approvals in real time—minimising compliance headaches when weather upends plans.
Looking ahead, meteorologists at the University of Bologna expect a second low-pressure front to arrive on 30 December, mainly affecting the north-east. Employers with assignees in Trieste, Venice and Udine should anticipate possible closure of regional airports if Bora winds again exceed 90 km/h.
