Commuters and travellers in Bergamo faced disruptions on 14 September 2026 as Arriva Italia drivers staged a four-hour strike from 08:30 to 12:30. The action, called by FILT-CGIL, FIT-CISL, UILT-UIL and FAISA-CISAL, affected almost the entire urban and extra-urban bus network that feeds Orio al Serio Airport—Italy’s third-busiest for low-cost carriers. Queues formed at the airport’s taxi rank and car-rental desks as passengers scrambled for alternatives. Several airlines reported minor boarding delays, although no flights were cancelled thanks to the airport’s on-site shuttle service, which operated on a reduced 20-minute frequency. Ride-sharing apps applied surge pricing of up to 1.8x during the peak. For corporate mobility planners the episode is a reminder that local work-stoppages can ripple through international itineraries, especially in regions lacking metro or rail links. Best practice includes pre-booking private transfers during strike windows and informing travellers about Italy’s statutory guarantee of minimum public-transport services during the 06:00-09:00 and 18:00-21:00 bands (which do not cover late-morning strikes such as this). Unions warn that further actions are possible if negotiations over roster flexibility and wage alignment with Milan are not concluded by October. Companies with frequent flyers via BGY should monitor the MIT strike calendar and build buffer time into flight-connection policies. Arriva Italia said it remained open to dialogue but pointed to rising fuel and wage costs. The municipality of Bergamo indicated it may impose minimum service levels on extra-urban routes if disruptions persist.
Source: Virgilio Motori
