Italy: National air and rail strikes July 20-22 /update 4

Event

Strikes affecting air and rail travel are set to take place between Friday, June 20, and Sunday, July 22.

On July 20, employees of Techno Sky - the company that manages and maintains systems and equipment used for air traffic control - will be on strike. The following day, July 21, air traffic controllers will be on strike nationwide, as will airport workers. Cabin crews and pilots at Blue Panorama Airlines and Italy-based cabin crews employed by Vueling will also strike July 21. Flight delays and cancelations are to be anticipated on these days, with residual disruptions possible July 22.

Furthermore, a national rail strike involving employees at Trenord (the company that operates regional passenger trains in the Lombardy region), NTV (a privately-run high-speed train operator), and FSI (a group that oversees the country’s rail network) will run from 21:00 (local time) on July 21 until 21:00 on July 22. Delays, modified timetables, last-minute cancelations, and overcrowding on available trains are to be anticipated during the above periods. Increased road congestion in urban areas is also possible.

Context

Transportation-related strikes are common in Italy. However, in accordance with Italian law, minimum levels of services must be guaranteed during all strikes.

Advice

Travelers are advised to confirm flight and rail reservations on the above days and allow for extra time to reach their destinations.