Italy General Strike Today: Up To 1,150 Flights Could Be Cancelled, 179,000 Passengers Affected

Quick Answer: Italy General Strike Today

• Italy is facing a nationwide general strike today, Friday, May 29.

• The strike is affecting flights, trains, ferries, buses, metro systems, airport transfers, schools, healthcare services, and public administration.

• AirAdvisor estimates that up to 1,150 flights could be cancelled, affecting around 179,000 passengers, though official totals may change throughout the day.

• ENAC says flights are protected during two guaranteed windows: 7 AM to 10 AM and 6 PM to 9 PM.

• Travelers should still check directly with their airline, train operator, ferry company, or local transit provider before leaving.

• If your flight is cancelled, EU261 may still give you the right to a refund, rebooking, and care such as meals or hotel accommodation, even if standard cash compensation doesn't apply because of strike-related extraordinary circumstances.

• If you were scheduled to depart from Brussels today or are connecting through the airport, it’s best to contact your airline as soon as possible to rebook. Don’t wait for the airline to reach out first, as many passengers will be trying to make changes at the same time.

What Is Happening In Italy Today?

Italy is facing a 24-hour nationwide general strike on Friday, May 29, called by several grassroots unions including CUB, SGB, ADL Varese, SI Cobas, and USI-CIT. The strike is affecting both public and private sectors, which is why the disruption stretches far beyond one airport, airline, or train route.

The strike is tied to several political and labor demands, including opposition to declining real wages, rising living costs, welfare cuts, workplace precarity, military spending, and government security policies. Organizers have also connected the protest to international issues, including the conflict in Gaza.

For travelers, the practical takeaway is simple: this is a countrywide disruption day. Flights, long-distance trains, regional trains, buses, trams, metro services, ferries, and some motorway services may all be affected at once.

Are Flights Cancelled In Italy Today?

Air travel is expected to face major disruption across Italy today. AirAdvisor estimates that up to 1,150 flights could be cancelled, affecting about 179,000 passengers. That figure should be treated as an estimate, not a final official cancellation count.

Major airports likely to feel the impact include:

• Rome Fiumicino

• Milan Malpensa

• Milan Linate

• Venice Marco Polo

• Naples International

• Bologna

• Catania

• Palermo

• Bari

Italy’s civil aviation authority, ENAC, says flights are protected during two guaranteed windows: 7 AM to 10 AM and 6 PM to 9 PM. Flights scheduled during those periods are more likely to operate, but travelers should still check directly with their airline. A protected window does not mean every journey will be smooth, especially if aircraft, crews, or passengers are out of position because of earlier disruption.

If your flight is outside the protected windows, do not assume it is automatically cancelled. But do assume you need to check your airline app, email, airport departures board, and booking status before heading out.

Trains, Metro, Buses, And Ferries Are Also Affected

Rail disruption began at 9 PM on Thursday, May 28, and is expected to continue until 9 PM on Friday, May 29. Trenitalia, Italo, Trenord, high-speed trains, regional trains, and local rail services may all be affected.

Trenitalia says minimum services are planned during the commuter windows from 6 AM to 9 AM and 6 PM to 9 PM on weekdays and Saturdays. Some long-distance services are also guaranteed, but travelers should check whether their specific train is listed before relying on it.

Local public transport will vary by city. In Rome, ATAC buses, trams, metro lines, and some affiliated services may be disrupted outside legally protected windows. In Milan, ATM metro, tram, and bus services may also be reduced during parts of the day. Florence, Venice, Naples, Bologna, Turin, and other major cities may see reduced services depending on local participation.

Ferries may also be affected, especially routes serving smaller islands. Travelers heading to or from Capri, Ischia, Sardinia, Sicily, Elba, or the Aeolian Islands should check directly with ferry operators before heading to the port.

What Travelers Should Do Right Now

Start with the part of your trip that matters most: your flight, train, ferry, or airport transfer. Check directly with your airline, rail operator, ferry company, or local transit provider. Third-party booking apps may lag behind real-time changes.

For flights, check whether your departure falls inside ENAC’s protected windows of 7 AM to 10 AM or 6 PM to 9 PM. For trains, check whether your service appears on the guaranteed train list. If you have a connection, check the entire journey, not just the first leg.

Airport transfers are the part many travelers forget. Even if your flight is operating, the train, metro, bus, or ferry you planned to take to the airport may not be. In Rome, the Leonardo Express between Termini and Fiumicino may be affected by rail disruption. In Milan, the Malpensa Express may be disrupted. In Venice, any disruption to water transport can make airport transfers more complicated very quickly.

Give yourself more time than feels reasonable. Today is not the day to cut it close.

Your EU261 Rights If Your Flight Is Cancelled

If your flight is cancelled because of an external air traffic control or airport strike, you may not be entitled to the standard EU261 cash compensation of €250 to €600. External strikes can count as extraordinary circumstances if the airline can show the disruption was outside its control.

But that doesn't mean you have no rights.

If your flight is cancelled, EU261 still gives you the right to choose between a refund or rebooking. The airline should not force you into a voucher if you want a cash refund. If you are stuck waiting because of a cancellation or long delay, the airline may also owe you care, including meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation, and transport between the airport and hotel if an overnight stay becomes necessary.

The key distinction is this: compensation may depend on the cause, but refund, rebooking, and care rights still matter.

Italy’s May 29 general strike is affecting far more than one airport or train line. With flights, trains, buses, metro systems, ferries, and airport transfers all potentially disrupted, travelers should check every leg of their journey before leaving.

If your flight is cancelled, ask your airline clearly for your refund or rebooking options under EU261. If you are stranded overnight, ask about meals, hotel accommodation, and transport support. And if your trip depends on a ferry, regional train, or airport transfer, check that too, because today’s biggest problem may not be the flight itself. It may be getting there.

Frequently Asked Questions: Italy General Strike Today

Is Italy on strike today?

Yes. Italy is facing a nationwide general strike on Friday, May 29. The strike is affecting transport, schools, healthcare services, public administration, and other public and private sectors.

Are flights cancelled in Italy today?

Many flights may be delayed or cancelled. AirAdvisor estimates that up to 1,150 flights could be cancelled, affecting around 179,000 passengers. Official cancellation totals may change throughout the day.

Are any flights guaranteed during the Italy strike?

Yes. ENAC says flights are protected during guaranteed operating windows from 7 AM to 10 AM and 6 PM to 9 PM. Travelers should still confirm their individual flight directly with the airline.

Are trains running in Italy today?

Some trains are running, but rail services are disrupted from 9 PM on Thursday, May 28, until 9 PM on Friday, May 29. Minimum services are planned during the commuter windows from 6 AM to 9 AM and 6 PM to 9 PM.

Is public transport running in Rome and Milan?

Some services may operate, especially during protected local windows, but buses, trams, metro lines, and suburban services may be reduced or suspended depending on local participation.

Are ferries affected by the Italy strike?

Yes. Ferry services may be disrupted, especially routes serving smaller islands. Travelers going to or from Capri, Ischia, Sicily, Sardinia, Elba, or the Aeolian Islands should check directly with ferry operators.

Can I get EU261 compensation if my flight is cancelled?

Not always. If the cancellation is caused by an external air traffic control or airport strike, it may count as an extraordinary circumstance, meaning standard cash compensation may not apply. However, refund, rebooking, and care rights still apply.

What should I do if my Italy flight is cancelled?

Check your airline app first, then request either rebooking or a cash refund. If you are stuck overnight, ask the airline for hotel accommodation, meals, and transport support under EU261 duty of care rules.