Italy is facing a wave of transportation strikes throughout November 2025, disrupting air travel, rail services, and local public transport nationwide.
The strikes, announced by multiple trade unions including USB and CUB, are part of a broader protest movement over wages, working conditions, and proposed government budget measures for 2026.
According to reports in Italian media, a series of coordinated walkouts will affect major cities, including Rome, Milan, Palermo, and Naples, with separate strike actions planned across the aviation, rail, and local transport sectors. The disruptions are expected to intensify from early November, peaking toward the end of the month with a nationwide general strike.
Transport Services Disrupted Throughout November
The first of several strikes began on Friday, 7 November, when local public transport workers staged a 24-hour walkout in several Italian cities. Bus, tram, and metro services were suspended or limited in Milan, Palermo, and Latina, while in Messina, employees held a four-hour strike. In Milan, services were halted between approximately 8:45 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., resuming briefly before another shutdown after 6:00 p.m.
Further disruption is expected on Friday, 14 November, as the aviation sector is hit by a combination of strikes involving airline staff and air traffic controllers. Air traffic controllers are scheduled to stop work nationwide from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., while airline personnel from several carriers, including Volotea, will strike for 24 hours. Local transport services in Rome are also expected to join the action on the same day.
The situation will culminate in a major rail strike between Thursday, 27 November, and Friday, 28 November. Train operators, including Trenitalia and Italo, have announced a 24-hour walkout beginning at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday and ending at 9:00 p.m. Friday. High-speed, intercity, and regional trains will be affected, with only limited “guaranteed services” required by law expected to operate during essential travel periods.
Confirmed Strike Dates and Impacted Routes
| Date | Sector | Duration | Locations/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 November 2025 | Local Public Transport | 24 hours | Milan, Palermo, Latina, Messina (limited services and full-day suspensions) |
| 14 November 2025 | Air Transport & Local Transit | 4–24 hours | Nationwide (air traffic controllers 13:00–17:00; airline and local staff in Rome 24 hours) |
| 27–28 November 2025 | Rail Transport | 24 hours | Nationwide (Trenitalia, Italo; limited “guaranteed services”) |
| 28 November 2025 | General Strike | 24 hours | Nationwide (air, rail, maritime, local transport, public and private sectors) |
Authorities and Travelers Brace for Widespread Delays
During the 14 November air transport strike, Italian law requires certain flight protections to minimize disruption during peak travel periods. Flights scheduled between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., and between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., must operate as planned. However, delays and cancellations are expected outside these time windows. Airports in Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, and Naples Capodichino are anticipated to experience the greatest impact.
Rail operators have been instructed to publish detailed lists of “guaranteed services” before the strike, including essential commuter and long-distance routes. Travelers are advised to confirm schedules directly with carriers, as ticket refunds or itinerary changes may apply depending on the level of disruption. The late-November rail strike will affect nearly all major national routes, including high-speed services between Rome, Milan, Florence, and Naples.
Local authorities in Milan and Rome have warned of traffic congestion and limited public transport options during strike days. City councils have recommended residents plan alternative routes and avoid non-essential travel. Ride-hailing services and taxis may see increased demand, particularly during morning and evening commuting hours.
Union Demands and Broader Labor Context
The series of November strikes reflect growing dissatisfaction among transport workers over pay structures, subcontracting, and safety standards. Unions have also expressed opposition to government austerity measures in the proposed 2026 national budget. Unions are calling for “a comprehensive review of transport privatization policies and fairer working conditions.”
The industrial action forms part of a broader wave of labor unrest in Italy this year, with several general strikes affecting schools, hospitals, and logistics. Media reports note overlapping demonstrations related to international solidarity movements and domestic policy disputes. While some actions have been localized, November’s transport walkouts represent the most coordinated national strike activity since 2022.
Authorities are expected to meet with union representatives later this month to negotiate potential settlements, though no agreement has yet been announced. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has stated that contingency plans are being developed to ensure essential mobility for commuters and travelers.
The Ministry continues to urge passengers to monitor official announcements from airlines, railway operators, and local transit agencies. Further updates on confirmed cancellations, modified timetables, and guaranteed services are expected closer to each strike date.
