Italian Travel Chaos Averted (Mostly) as Strikes Postponed
Travellers planning to journey through Italy, particularly those heading to the Winter Olympics and Paralympics, can breathe a collective sigh of relief as nationwide air transport strikes initially slated for February 16th have been postponed. These industrial actions, which threatened to ground hundreds of flights and leave thousands of passengers stranded, have been suspended following intervention from Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.
The Deputy Prime Minister cited the need to guarantee mobility during what he described as an “event of global importance,” clearly referencing the international sporting events. While the exact rescheduled dates for the air transport strikes are yet to be announced, they are expected to fall between February 24th and March 4th, aiming to minimise disruption by occurring after the Olympics and before the Paralympics commence.
However, the reprieve for air travellers is not entirely comprehensive, as a separate strike involving rail transport workers is still scheduled to proceed later this month, potentially causing further travel headaches.
Air Transport Strikes: What Was and What’s Next
The original plan for February 16th had envisioned significant disruption across Italy’s aviation sector. Staff from the national carrier, ITA Airways, were poised to undertake a 24-hour walkout commencing at midnight. This action would have reverberated through major Italian airports, including Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Rome Fiumicino, Venice Marco Polo, and Verona Valerio Catullo Airport.
The planned strike was not limited to ground crew. Unions representing pilots, flight attendants, and other essential airline personnel were also set to join the industrial action. It’s important to note that Italian aviation legislation mandates the continuation of essential services during strike periods. These guaranteed operating hours are typically between 7am and 10am, and again from 6pm to 9pm.
Despite these protected time slots, the impact of the proposed ITA Airways strike was projected to be substantial. Data from Cirium indicated that ITA Airways had 314 flights scheduled for February 16th, with a significant proportion – nearly 70 per cent – falling outside the guaranteed operating hours. This meant an estimated 25,000 to 27,000 passengers could have been affected, not to mention the potential for cascading cancellations and disruptions on the days immediately preceding and following the strike.
The industrial action was not confined to ITA Airways. Flight attendants from Vueling and pilots and flight attendants from easyJet were also planning a 24-hour stoppage on the same day. Specifically, Vueling and easyJet crew members affiliated with the USB union were scheduled to strike between 1pm and 5pm. Furthermore, ground staff from Airport Handling and ALHA were slated to participate in a strike at Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa airports on February 16th.
Adding to the potential for travel disruption, staff at ENAV, the national air traffic control services provider, had planned a strike for March 7th. This action has also been suspended. The Ministry of Transport is now expected to propose a new timeframe for these strikes, likely between February 24th and March 4th, to align with the gap between the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Looming Rail Strike: A Different Kind of Disruption
While air travel disruptions have been largely averted for now, passengers should be aware of upcoming industrial action in the rail sector. At the end of February, staff of the Italian state railway, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS), are set to walk out for a full 24 hours. The strike is scheduled to commence at 9pm on Friday, February 27th, and conclude at 8:59pm on Saturday, February 28th.
This 24-hour rail strike is expected to impact a wide range of train services across the country. Travellers should anticipate potential disruptions to:
- Regional Trains: These services connect smaller towns and cities and are often the backbone of local public transport.
- High-Speed Frecce Trains: These are Italy’s premier long-distance trains, connecting major cities like Rome, Milan, and Naples at high speeds.
- Intercity Trains: These trains offer a middle ground, connecting cities and larger towns with fewer stops than regional services.
Passengers planning to travel by train during this period are strongly advised to check for service updates and make alternative arrangements where possible. The Ministry of Transport is expected to announce specific details regarding guaranteed train services during the rail strike in due course, similar to the provisions for air travel. Travellers are encouraged to stay informed through official railway announcements and travel advisories.
