As holiday travel ramps up across Italy, a nationwide general strike on Friday, 12th December, is the most consequential action of the month. Rail services are expected to face the greatest disruption that day, with additional strikes elsewhere in December
Main event — Italy general strike on 12th December
Italy’s main union confederation, CGIL, has called a nationwide general strike covering public and private sectors, including contracted services. The action runs for the full day, making it the month’s most extensive stoppage for everyday travel and commuting.
Rail services are flagged for disruption between midnight and 9 pm, which could affect long-distance and regional journeys across the network. Flights are not indicated as part of this specific action, and Rome’s Atac-operated services will not be affected.
Other national and major-city strikes to note in December
Monday 1 December — Sicily airports
The first day of the month brings airport handling walkouts in Sicily, which could affect connections into and out of the island. Palermo Falcone–Borsellino is set for a 24-hour strike by handlers, while Catania–Fontanarossa staff plan a shorter stoppage. At Catania, the walkout is scheduled from 10.30 am until 2.30 pm, potentially impacting midday departures and arrivals.
Tuesday 9 December — Rome public transport
Rome’s city-wide public transport network is scheduled for a 24-hour strike, covering buses, metro and trams operated by Atac. The date sits immediately after the national holiday on 8 December, a period when many workplaces adjust their schedules, and travel can be heavier within the capital.
Tuesday 9 to Thursday 11 December — National ferry strike
Maritime and administrative staff at ferry companies Tirrenia CIN and Moby have announced a 48-hour national strike. The action is planned to start at 3 pm on 9 December and end at 3 pm on 11 December, covering a significant part of two working days.
Services linking the mainland with Sardinia, Sicily and smaller islands may face cancellations or timetable changes during the strike window.
Wednesday 17 December — Nationwide aviation actions
Mid-month brings a coordinated set of four-hour aviation strikes that could affect airports across Italy. Ground handling personnel are due to stop work during the early afternoon, from 1 pm to 5 pm.
Airline actions are also planned, including ITA Airways personnel, Vueling crews, and ground staff for Air France and KLM. Air traffic controllers at ENAV’s Rome Area Control Centre are scheduled to join during the same window, which can have knock-on effects for wider airspace management.
Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 December — National freight logistics
In the final run-up to Christmas, travelling personnel at Number 1 Logistic Group have called a 72-hour national strike. The action is planned to start at midnight on 22 December and run until midnight on 24 December. Parcel movements and goods deliveries may experience delays during this period, which could affect e-commerce orders and retail restocking.
Guaranteed services and passenger rights at a glance
Italian rules require minimum services during transport strikes, and some protections are fixed by law. Under Italian law, flights departing 7 am–10 am and 6 pm–9 pm are safeguarded. The civil aviation authority, ENAC, typically publishes guaranteed flight lists closer to the date.
Refund and assistance rules apply across rail and air travel within the EU framework and operator policies.
- Flights in the EU: passengers have the right to a refund or rebooking when flights are cancelled. If rebooked and the wait exceeds two hours, assistance such as food and drink applies.
- Trains in Italy: if a pre-booked service is cancelled due to a strike, travellers can switch to an equivalent service or request a full refund.
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