Advertisement

Flights at risk as strike hits Italy airports

Author thumbnail
30 May, 2014 Updated Fri 30 May 2014 10:45 CEST
image alt text

Flights in Milan and Rome could be delayed or cancelled on Friday as airport workers go on strike, while Italy’s public transport system will also grind to a halt as staff stage a nationwide walkout.

Advertisement

Flights at Rome Fiumicino and Milan’s Malpensa and Linate airports are facing disruption as a strike coordinated by labour unions gets underway, including baggage handlers and staff working with airlines Alitalia and Easyjet.

While the airport strike was due to last just four hours, from midday to 4.00pm, Alitalia has already rescheduled flights and restricted the number of planes heading to and from Milan airport. Intercontinental flights with Italy’s flagship airline have, however, not been affected, Corriere della Sera reported.

Easyjet has made cancellations at Malpensa and Linate airports, although the only Fiumicino flights disrupted are those heading to Milan, an airline spokeswoman told The Local. Easyjet passengers affected are being offered a free flight change or refund.

At Fiumicino airport, baggage staff are due to hold a sit-in, to protest against 850 jobs being put at risk at handling company Groundcare, the newspaper said.

Trains, metros, buses and trams will also be hit today by a workers’ strike, affecting all of Italy’s major cities.

In Rome, much of the public transport system shut down at 8.30am, with a brief respite planned from 5.30pm to 8.00pm when the strike is set to continue into the evening. Milan will operate under a similar schedule, with an earlier break between 3.00pm and 6.00pm, while other Italian cities are running varied timetables.

SEE ALSO: Italy braces for day of transport strikes

Don't miss a story about Italy - Join us on Facebook and Twitter.

More

Comments

2014/05/30 10:45

Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also