Published on
September 13, 2025
Heading to Italy this September? Better double-check your plans first. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has announced strikes that could mess with planes, trains, and city buses all month long. Major walkouts are already on the calendar, so be ready for long lines and possibly cancelled flights, especially in Milan. Nationwide train stoppages are also expected, so if the tracks are part of your trip, keep that in mind, too.
Key Points
- Multiple strikes in Italy’s transport sector in September 2025 are expected to disrupt air travel, rail services, and local public transport. (Sources: Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport; ENAC)
- Specific large-scale disruptions include nationwide rail walkouts, full-day and partial-day airport and airline staff strikes, a major handling staff strike in Milan on 14 September, and another national airport/airline strike on 26 September.
- Despite the disruptions, certain services and flights are legally guaranteed during strikes: in aviation, flights will be delayed.
What the Laws & Authorities Say
- The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti, MIT) maintains a public calendar of strikes (“Calendario Scioperi”) where upcoming transport sector industrial actions are officially listed.
- The Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) is responsible for defining guaranteed flights during airport/airline strikes and publishes rules (“voli garantiti”) including protected time windows.
- Passenger rights in case of cancellation, delay, denied boarding are covered under European Regulation (EC) 261/2004, which ENAC enforces. For delays of 5 hours or cancellations, passengers may be eligible for refunds, assistance, or compensation.
Advice for Travellers
- Check official sources regularly
Before travel, look up the MIT strike calendar: scioperi.mit.gov.it. For air travel, check ENAC’s strike-in-aviation page. Airlines, airports and rail companies often post alerts. - Know guaranteed service windows
For flights, times between 07:00-10:00 and 18:00-21:00 are typically required to run, even during strikes. Outside those windows, delays or cancellations are more likely. - Allow extra time & be flexible
Arrive earlier at airports; have backup plans if train connections are missed. Consider alternate routes or transport modes when possible. - Secure tickets & lodging ahead
If your travel dates overlap strike days, buy tickets and reserve accommodation in advance; last-minute options may be limited or more expensive. - Understand refund and compensation rights
If flights are canceled or delayed beyond legal thresholds, and if the disruption is not due to extraordinary, unpredictable causes, you may claim refunds or compensation under EC 261/2004. Keep receipts, boards, communication from carriers. - Monitor communications from carriers
Airlines, rail operators (e.g., Trenitalia, Italo) often email or SMS updates. Local transit providers may post on their sites or city transport apps.
Bottom Line
Strikes in Italy this September—September 2025—are likely to disrupt lots of people. If you’re flying in or out of big airports like Milan or Rome, or taking a train on those same dates, you should be ready for changes. You can lower the chances of long delays by checking updates from MIT (Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport) and ENAC (National Civil Aviation Authority), getting to the airport or train station earlier than usual, and being aware of your passenger rights. Making a solid plan is even more crucial on September 4, 5, 6, 14, and 26.
