New wave of strikes in Italy. Photo: Shutterstock Italy's Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has published a series of important updates regarding new strikes hitting the country's railway sector today (May 4, 2026) and tomorrow (May 5, 2025).
The renewed disruption this week wil be caused by four separate strikes, called by multiple unions, impacting onboard catering, freight operations, as well as infrastructure maintenance.
Trenitalia. Photo: BalkansCat / Shutterstock.com
Two of the strikes will take place on Monday, May 4, targeting catering staff working for Elior's division on board Trenitalia trains. The actions were called by several unions, including FAST-CONFSAL and a coalition of CGIL, CISL, UIL, UGL, and ORSA.
Initially, the strikes were supposed to take place on April 23, 2026, but were later rescheduled to May 4 as requested by the Commissione di Garanzia.
Both actions involve a “half-shift” stoppage for each work shift, affecting onboard services such as food and beverage provision. While train operations are expected to continue, passengers may experience reduced or unavailable catering services during journeys.
Another significant strike will take place between late May 4 and early May 5 in the Milan area, involving staff from Mercitalia. Organized by USB, the eight-hour walkout will affect shunting and terminal workers, key roles in assembling and dispatching freight trains.
Running from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, the strike could disrupt cargo movements through one of Italy’s most important logistics hubs.
On May 5, another eight-hour strike will affect maintenance staff at Rete Ferroviaria Italiana in the Florence area, potentially affecting tracking and signaling systems.
The strike could have wider implications including delays and reduced services if maintenance schedules are delayed, especially on busy routes in central Italy.
The Ministry of Transport has also published notices of several regional strikes in the aviation sector, combined with a national strike by easyJet scheduled for Monday, May 11, 2026, described as a "black day" for air transportation by Italian media outlets.
The coordinated strikes will impact air traffic control, airport operations, ground handling, and airline crews across the country.
One of the most critical actions involves staff at ENAV, responsible for managing Italian airspace. Multiple unions, including FAST-CONFSAL and UIL, have called strikes affecting the Area Control Center in Rome, including overlapping stoppages of up to eight hours, primarily between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm, with an additional four-hour strike in the afternoon.
A separate interregional action will also affect ENAV staff at Naples Airport, triggering possible delays and flight cancellations, particularly during peak daytime operations.
Airport operations will also feel the impact, with security staff at Rome’s main hubs, Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport and Ciampino Airport scheduled to strike for four hours midday.
Ground handling and rescue services will also be involved in multiple regions like Palermo, where staff from companies such as GH Palermo, ASC Handling, and Aviapartner will stage a four-hour strike, and Milan, where workers at Milan Malpensa Airport are set to walk out during the afternoon. Similar actions are planned at Cagliari Elmas Airport, affecting the SOGAER Group and associated services (aircraft turnaround, baggage handling, emergency response).
easyJet. Photo: ShutterstockPilots and flight attendants from easyJet will participate in an eight-hour nationwide strike from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on May 11. The action, backed by multiple major unions including CGIL and CISL, could significantly impact the airline’s domestic and European operations to and from Italy.
Passengers flying with easyJet during this window may face delays, cancellations, or last-minute schedule changes.