A demonstration likely to draw tens of thousands is also planned in Rome on 4 October.
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Travellers in Italy should brace for severe disruption today, 3 October, as a nationwide general strike coincides with mass protests across the country.
The 24-hour work stoppage has been called by two of Italy’s biggest unions, CGIL and USB, in response to Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which included an estimated 40 Italian nationals and members of parliament among its passengers.
The snap walkout overlaps with a previously planned general strike, with potentially hundreds of thousands expected to take part in cities across the country.
The action is expected to hit air, rail, sea and local transport services at the start of the weekend.
Which airports and stations will be affected?
The action is set to affect schools, healthcare facilities and transport services nationwide, including air hubs such as Milan’s Malpensa airport.
National rail services will also be hit, with Trenitalia and Italo anticipating widespread disruption.
In Milan, metro operators this morning warned passengers to expect interruptions throughout the day, while in Genoa, dockworkers have pledged to block Israeli-linked shipments, raising the prospect of closures at one of Europe’s busiest ports.
Where are demonstrations taking place?
Organisers have vowed to “block everything”, in a call that echoes the bloquons tout movement occurring in France.
In Rome, a major rally was scheduled to begin at 11 am on Friday at Piazza dei Cinquecento, outside Termini train station. Police expected up to 70,000 people to join a march from Termini to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation.
The UK Foreign Office also warned of another demonstration that could attract thousands more in Rome on 4 October.
Demonstrations are also planned in Milan, Bologna, Florence and Naples.
Travellers should expect road closures and delays near protest sites, especially in city centres. Some transport services are guaranteed during strikes, but the timetables vary from city to city. Check local websites for current information.
Why are unions striking?
Union leaders say the action is a response to Italy’s handling of the flotilla raid.
“The aggression against civilian ships carrying Italian citizens is an extremely serious matter,” CGIL said in a statement. “It is not only a crime against defenceless people, but it is also serious that the Italian government has abandoned Italian workers in open international waters, violating our constitutional principles.”
Italian authorities have declared the strike unlawful, since it is taking place without a legally mandated 10-day notice.
How has the Italian government responded?
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni accused the unions of exploiting the flotilla incident for political purposes.
Speaking outside a European Union summit in Copenhagen, she claimed the convoy had “brought no benefits for the Palestinian people” but was set to “bring many inconveniences to the Italian people”.
Taking aim at the timing, she added: “I would have expected … they would not have called a general strike on a Friday, because a long weekend and revolution don’t go together.”
Transport minister Matteo Salvini likewise criticised the movement and floated an injunction to block it. “We will not allow the CGIL and left-wing extremists to bring chaos to Italy. We will not tolerate any sudden general strike,” he wrote in a post on X.
What does this mean for travellers?
Italy’s civil aviation authority ENAC reminds travellers that flights scheduled between 7 am and 10 am and between 6 pm and 9 pm must still operate.
During strikes, most services to and from Sicily, Sardinia and other smaller islands are also guaranteed. Outside these windows, cancellations and delays are likely.
Travellers are advised to check with their airline or train operator before departure and allow extra time for journeys, especially in places where demonstrations are occurring.
More strikes ahead
Friday’s action comes at the start of a turbulent month for transport in Italy.
Between now and the end of the year, there are 40 planned strikes, including walkouts at Rome Fiumicino, Pisa, Florence and Milan Linate airports later this October.
For the latest updates, consult the Italian transport ministry’s strike calendar.
