ITA Airways Strike Alert: 26 February Walkout Confirmed After Olympic Reprieve
Winter Olympics Close in Verona, Triggering Post-Games Travel Surge Across Italy
Italian Foreign Ministry Shuts Prenot@mi Appointment Portal for 72 Hours
Latest News
UNHCR Snapshot Shows 2026 Migrant Arrivals to Italy Running 12 % Above 2025 Levels
UNHCR’s Italy snapshot dated 23 February reports year-to-date sea arrivals up 12 % on 2025, with over half of new arrivals falling into the prime working-age bracket. While backlogs in asylum processing persist, redeployment of staff to southern hotspots aims to accelerate decisions, potentially widening the labour pool available under Italy’s Flussi quotas.
EU Parliament Committee Schedules Vote on Common Return System, Spotlight on Italy’s Repatriation Burden
An EU Parliament bulletin on 23 February confirms that MEPs will vote the same day on creating a common EU return system for irregular migrants. Italy, which shoulders a disproportionate share of repatriations, stands to gain financially but must adapt data-privacy rules. Employers may benefit from faster nulla osta processing but should prepare for more rigorous overstay checks.
Italy rolls out nationwide e-Visa platform and 150 biometric e-gates
From 22 February 2026, Italian consulates worldwide issue Schengen visas exclusively in digital PDF form, complete with QR codes that link to the national visa database. At the same time, ENAC confirmed the installation of 150 biometric e-gates at major airports. The move promises faster border clearance, tighter fraud controls and alignment with forthcoming EU systems, but requires companies to update travel workflows.
National rail strike announced for 27-28 February as Olympic traffic winds down
Autonomous unions have called a 24-hour nationwide strike of FS Group staff from the evening of 27 to 28 February. Announced on 22 February, the action threatens high-speed, regional and freight rail services days after Olympic extra trains are withdrawn, posing disruption for business travellers and cargo movements.
ITA Airways and easyJet crews confirm 26 February walk-out; IFALPA issues mutual-assistance alert
In a 22 February circular, IFALPA urges global pilot unions to back Italian colleagues during a 26 February strike that targets ITA Airways and easyJet. The walk-out, postponed during the Olympics, highlights stalled CLA negotiations and could coincide with rail stoppages, compounding mobility risks for travellers.
Corriere della Sera lists guaranteed services ahead of late-February air and rail strikes
Corriere della Sera published a detailed table of flights and trains protected by Italian ‘guaranteed-service’ rules ahead of the 26 February airline and 27-28 February rail strikes. The guide helps companies and travellers re-plan critical itineraries before cancellations bite.