Virgilio Motori released an updated calendar on 15 February detailing more than a dozen transport strikes scheduled across Italy in the second half of the month. The list covers local-bus stoppages in Genoa and Udine, maritime actions in several ports, a 24-hour national rail strike on 27-28 February – and, crucially, the newly rescheduled nationwide airport strike now set for Monday 26 February.
The walkout, originally called for 16 February, was postponed after Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini signed a compulsory-work order (precettazione) to shield the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics. All major unions representing pilots, cabin crew, ground handlers and air-traffic technicians have accepted the new date, although they maintain demands for contract renewal and better staffing ratios at ITA Airways, EasyJet and Vueling.
Under Italy’s strike law, carriers must still operate “fasce garantite” (protected time bands) – typically 07:00-10:00 and 18:00-21:00 – but most international departures outside those slots face cancellation. Employers with critical travel should avoid itineraries on 26 February or secure backup routings via Switzerland, Austria or France.
![Italy Publishes February Strike Calendar: National Air-Transport Walkout Moved to 26 February]()
Should last-minute rerouting force travelers to adjust their visa timelines, VisaHQ can step in to review Schengen validity, arrange emergency extensions or file fresh applications online; visit https://www.visahq.com/italy/ to see how the service streamlines paperwork and keeps mobility plans on track even when strikes threaten schedules.
Rail travellers will feel the impact later in the week when locomotive and on-board staff of state operator FS stage their own 24-hour action from 21:00 on 27 February.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport now publishes strike notices on a dedicated public portal, yet many foreign assignees remain unaware. Mobility teams are urged to circulate the February schedule, reconfirm hotel allotments and remind employees that travel disruption is no valid excuse for overstaying Schengen limits or missing residence-permit appointments.
Looking ahead, the government will convene unions on 29 February to explore a binding “Olympic truce” covering all transport modalities through mid-March – but talks are still preliminary.
The walkout, originally called for 16 February, was postponed after Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini signed a compulsory-work order (precettazione) to shield the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics. All major unions representing pilots, cabin crew, ground handlers and air-traffic technicians have accepted the new date, although they maintain demands for contract renewal and better staffing ratios at ITA Airways, EasyJet and Vueling.
Under Italy’s strike law, carriers must still operate “fasce garantite” (protected time bands) – typically 07:00-10:00 and 18:00-21:00 – but most international departures outside those slots face cancellation. Employers with critical travel should avoid itineraries on 26 February or secure backup routings via Switzerland, Austria or France.
Should last-minute rerouting force travelers to adjust their visa timelines, VisaHQ can step in to review Schengen validity, arrange emergency extensions or file fresh applications online; visit https://www.visahq.com/italy/ to see how the service streamlines paperwork and keeps mobility plans on track even when strikes threaten schedules.
Rail travellers will feel the impact later in the week when locomotive and on-board staff of state operator FS stage their own 24-hour action from 21:00 on 27 February.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport now publishes strike notices on a dedicated public portal, yet many foreign assignees remain unaware. Mobility teams are urged to circulate the February schedule, reconfirm hotel allotments and remind employees that travel disruption is no valid excuse for overstaying Schengen limits or missing residence-permit appointments.
Looking ahead, the government will convene unions on 29 February to explore a binding “Olympic truce” covering all transport modalities through mid-March – but talks are still preliminary.
