A 23-hour strike by ORSA-Trasporti staff at regional operator Trenord ran from 03:00 on Monday, 2 February, to 02:00 on Tuesday, 3 February, disrupting suburban, regional and airport services across Lombardy. Although minimum “guaranteed” services operated in the 06:00-09:00 and 18:00-21:00 windows, dozens of Malpensa Express trains were cancelled, forcing air passengers onto replacement buses between Milano Cadorna, Stabio and the airport.
The walk-out coincided with the arrival of international delegations for the Milano-Cortina Games, amplifying congestion on the A8 motorway and lengthening door-to-gate times by up to two hours. Trenord offered ticket refunds under its regional-train disruption policy, but the strike caught many business travellers unaware because it was announced only five working days in advance, the minimum notice required by Italian law.
![Lombardy rail strike snarls Malpensa Airport links and regional commutes]()
Amid the scramble to reroute journeys, travellers should also ensure their documentation is in order; VisaHQ (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) can streamline visa and residence permit applications for Italy, providing step-by-step guidance and fast-track courier options that help keep itineraries on track when last-minute schedule changes arise.
Mobility managers should remind travellers to monitor Trenord channels and build larger land-side buffers when rail is part of the air itinerary. Larger corporates are re-evaluating fixed rail-air connections in travel policies, favouring flexible taxi allowances or shared shuttle contracts during Italy’s active strike season—19 further transport stoppages are scheduled nationwide before month-end.
The action also underscores the fragility of airport connectivity for expatriates living in Milan’s suburbs. HR teams managing assignees may need to include alternative airport transfer options in relocation packages or negotiate remote-work flexibility on strike days to avoid productivity losses.
The walk-out coincided with the arrival of international delegations for the Milano-Cortina Games, amplifying congestion on the A8 motorway and lengthening door-to-gate times by up to two hours. Trenord offered ticket refunds under its regional-train disruption policy, but the strike caught many business travellers unaware because it was announced only five working days in advance, the minimum notice required by Italian law.
Amid the scramble to reroute journeys, travellers should also ensure their documentation is in order; VisaHQ (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) can streamline visa and residence permit applications for Italy, providing step-by-step guidance and fast-track courier options that help keep itineraries on track when last-minute schedule changes arise.
Mobility managers should remind travellers to monitor Trenord channels and build larger land-side buffers when rail is part of the air itinerary. Larger corporates are re-evaluating fixed rail-air connections in travel policies, favouring flexible taxi allowances or shared shuttle contracts during Italy’s active strike season—19 further transport stoppages are scheduled nationwide before month-end.
The action also underscores the fragility of airport connectivity for expatriates living in Milan’s suburbs. HR teams managing assignees may need to include alternative airport transfer options in relocation packages or negotiate remote-work flexibility on strike days to avoid productivity losses.
