Italy transport strikes: October protests and walkouts that could disrupt travel

Published on Oct 6, 2025, 8:30 am CDTUpdated on Oct 6, 2025, 8:19 pm CDT

6 min read

Italy faces fresh labor actions and large pro-Palestinian protests in October that could affect flights, trains, and local transit. Rome's Aeroporti di Roma staff have a four-hour strike planned on October 13, while ground-handling walkouts at Milan Linate, Pisa, and Florence are slated for October 29. This week brings city-level actions in Latina and possible service reductions in Genoa. After a general strike and mass demonstrations from October 3 to 5, authorities expect additional rallies in Rome and other major cities, with periodic traffic restrictions and short-notice diversions.

Key points

Why it matters: Strikes target airport ground services, Rome transit, and local buses in several cities.
Travel impact: Expect security, check-in, and baggage delays at Rome on October 13; possible cancellations October 29.
What's next: Rome ATAC network faces dual strikes on October 10 with limited protected service windows.
Guaranteed windows: Italian air labor rules protect 700-1000 and 1800-2100 flight bands.
Protests: Large Rome rallies continue; police may impose rolling closures around Termini and city center.

Snapshot

On Monday, October 6, local transit unions in Latina conduct a 24-hour action with guaranteed windows in the morning and afternoon. Rome's municipal operator ATAC has two strikes scheduled for Friday, October 10, including a 24-hour action and a separate four-hour stoppage, with service guaranteed at peak windows. At the airports, FAST-Confsal has called a four-hour strike of Aeroporti di Roma personnel on Monday, October 13, from 1200 to 1600, which can slow security, check-in, and ramp operations at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and Rome-Ciampino International Airport (CIA). On Wednesday, October 29, Swissport staff are slated to strike 24 hours at Milan Linate Airport (LIN), while Tuscany airports Pisa International Airport (PSA) and Florence Airport (FLR) face separate ground-staff actions the same day.

Background

Italy experienced a nationwide general strike on October 3, followed by very large demonstrations October 3-5. Those events disrupted rail services and created pockets of traffic congestion around major stations and city centers. The aviation sector's October 3 action was judged unlawful by the strikes watchdog due to notice requirements, and the civil aviation authority did not publish a guaranteed-flights list for that date. Looking ahead, the official strike calendars maintained by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the Commissione di Garanzia show multiple sector-specific actions through late October, especially in airport ground services and local transit. Under Italian essential-service rules, protected flight windows and guaranteed local-transit bands apply, but staffing shortages can still ripple outside those periods.

Latest developments

Rome ATAC strikes on October 10: what riders should expect

Rome's ATAC network is set for two overlapping labor actions on Friday, October 10: a 24-hour strike called by SUL and a four-hour strike from 830 to 1230 called by USB Lavoro Privato and ORSA TPL. ATAC confirms that legally mandated windows will run until 829 in the morning and from 1700 to 19:59 in the evening, when service must be provided; outside those hours, riders should expect reduced frequencies, curtailed lines, and possible metro closures if staffing is insufficient. Private subcontractor routes are typically excluded from ATAC actions, but riders should verify operator-by-operator notices on the day. Expect heavier road traffic, especially around Termini and the Aurelian Walls, and leave extra time for airport transfers to FCO and CIA.

Rome airports October 13: four-hour ADR staff stoppage

FAST-Confsal has filed a national, four-hour strike for Aeroporti di Roma personnel on Monday, October 13, from 1200 to 1600. While flights in the protected bands remain safeguarded by law, airport operations can slow due to reduced staffing in security lanes, check-in, boarding, and ramp services. Travelers should build in additional time for screening and anticipate some schedule adjustments, especially for departures close to the start or end of the action. Airlines will adjust operations as needed; same-day connection buffers at FCO should be increased.

October 29 ground-handling actions: Milan Linate, Pisa, and Florence

The Commissione di Garanzia calendar lists a 24-hour strike by Swissport Italia personnel at Milan Linate on Wednesday, October 29. Tuscany airports Pisa and Florence face separate ground-staff actions called by multiple unions on the same date. Impacts typically include longer baggage-drop lines, slower aircraft turnarounds, and potential cancellations if duty rosters cannot be filled. Passengers with tight same-day itineraries should consider earlier flights or date shifts where possible.

Analysis

For air travelers, the most material risks this month are concentrated on October 13 in Rome and October 29 in Milan and Tuscany. Although Italy's protected flight windows limit outright cancellations, ground-handling slowdowns can still cascade into late-day delays. Carriers often preemptively thin schedules or retime flights to bracket the four-hour action windows. If you are connecting through FCO, aim for at least a three-hour buffer on October 13, favor early-morning or evening departures, and use airline apps for rebooking. In Milan and Tuscany on October 29, nonstop morning departures before 700 or late-evening departures after 2100 will generally face fewer staffing conflicts, but check-in and baggage services may still be slow. In Rome on October 10, daytime urban mobility will be uneven; if you must transit between central Rome and FCO, consider the non-ATAC Leonardo Express but verify its status due to residual protest-related crew rotations. Large-scale demonstrations can reroute buses and taxis near major piazzas and stations, so plan for on-foot detours and checkpoint delays around protest zones.

Final thoughts

Italy's strike rules help soften disruption, yet October brings enough targeted actions to unsettle plans. If your itinerary touches Rome on October 10 or 13, or Milan/Tuscany on October 29, lock in flexible fares, download your airline's app, and avoid tight connections. For city travel days, prebook airport transfers, watch municipal updates, and allow time for protest-related detours. With smart buffers and live updates, you can keep your trip steady through the month's Italy transport strikes.