Italy is heading for one of its most disruptive travel weekends of the autumn, with a national general strike, a 23-hour nationwide rail stoppage and airport strikes all falling on 20–22 November, according to Italy's official strike register.

The dates are listed on the strike calendar run by Italy's Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, which publishes every transport strike called in the country in advance. Travellers planning to be in Italy that weekend should check their bookings now, as strike dates can still be moved or called off.

What is happening on each day

On Friday, 20 November, the CGIL, Italy's largest union confederation, holds a national general strike covering the public and private sectors. That evening, a national rail strike called by the CUB Trasporti and SGB unions begins at 21:00 and runs until 20:00 on Saturday, 21 November, affecting every train in Italy. Local transport strikes are also planned in cities including Turin and Naples on the 21st.

On Sunday, 22 November, air traffic control staff at Milan Malpensa airport strike for 24 hours, and security staff at Venice Marco Polo airport also strike for 24 hours. Ground staff at Pisa and Florence airports are listed for action the same day.

What still runs during a strike

Italian law protects some services during strikes. Regional trains run in guaranteed bands, generally 06:00 to 09:00 and 18:00 to 21:00 on weekdays, and flights scheduled between 07:00 and 10:00 and between 18:00 and 21:00 must operate, with the aviation authority ENAC publishing a list of guaranteed flights.

There is also disruption before the big weekend: local transit strikes are planned in Venice and Milan on Friday, 13 November. A further national general strike is listed for Friday, 4 December. Sources: TransferBNB; Rich Travel Magazine.