Italy has postponed a planned nationwide aviation strike that threatened to disrupt hundreds of flights during the peak travel period of the 2026 Winter Olympics. The 24-hour walkout, originally scheduled for February 16, was blocked by the government in an effort to safeguard mobility during what officials described as an event of “global importance.”
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini intervened to halt the strike, citing the need to ensure smooth transportation flows as athletes, officials and spectators travel to and from Olympic venues. The industrial action has now been rescheduled for February 26, shifting potential disruption to later in the month.
The original strike involved staff from ITA Airways, as well as pilots, cabin crew and ground personnel across multiple carriers. Major airports including Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Rome Fiumicino, Venice Marco Polo and Verona were expected to face significant operational challenges had the protest gone ahead. Tens of thousands of passengers could have been affected, particularly as many flights were scheduled outside legally protected service windows that require operations between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Additional participation had been announced by employees at Vueling and easyJet, alongside ground handling staff at Milan’s key airports. While the immediate threat to Olympic travel has been lifted, travelers flying on or around February 26 are now being advised to monitor airline communications closely, as delays and cancellations remain possible.
Further disruption may also loom in early March. Staff at ENAV, Italy’s national air traffic control provider, are planning industrial action on March 7, a date that could coincide with travel linked to the Paralympic Games. Details of that strike remain subject to change, but aviation authorities are watching developments closely.
Beyond air travel, rail passengers could face difficulties as well. Workers at Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, the country’s state railway operator, have announced a 24-hour strike scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. on February 27 and end at 8:59 p.m. on February 28. Regional services, high-speed Frecce trains and Intercity routes are likely to be affected, although minimum service guarantees will apply during certain peak hours.
The temporary suspension of the February 16 aviation strike has eased immediate concerns for Olympic visitors, but Italy’s broader labor tensions remain unresolved. With multiple industrial actions now clustered at the end of February and early March, travelers heading to or within Italy during this period may still encounter significant disruption and should plan accordingly.