For a while, the Italian government put the trade union discontent on hold to spare the Winter Olympics. The day after the closing ceremony, however, there is no longer any time for national unity. As soon as the "Olympic truce" was over, a vast strike movement was in the starting blocks. Thursday 26 February promises to be a complex day for Italian transport.
ITA Airways has already set the tone by cancelling more than half of its schedule. The disruption is expected to extend beyond 26 February. The company states: "Following the announcement of strike action affecting the air transport sector in Italy, scheduled for Thursday 26 February and lasting 24 hours, the company has been forced to cancel around 55 % of its flight schedule scheduled for 26 February, as well as certain flights on 25 and 27 February".
In the wake of these air disruptions, Italy's railways will also be affected. A strike call has been issued for 27 and 28 February. According to the initial information available, passengers can expect major disruption on both long-distance and regional trains.
