What to expect from Italy's airport staff strikes on Friday
Strikes set to cause disruption for air passengers travelling to or from Italy on Friday, May 19th, have now been cancelled.
**UPDATE: The planned air travel strike on Friday, May 19th, has been postponed. See the latest news here.**
A planned 24-hour walkout by handling staff at airports in Italy was expected to cause more disruption for passengers on Friday, in the latest in a string of recent protests affecting transport services.
But the strike was postponed on Thursday afternoon, the Italian transport minister said, in light of the disastrous flooding which hit parts of the country this week.
The nationwide protests were expected to cause some level of disruption at all major Italian airports, with half a dozen of Italy's biggest trade unions taking part.
The strike was called in protest over employment contracts for handling staff at Italian airports, as unions said pay and conditions had not been improved for six years.
READ ALSO: Why are there so many transport strikes in Italy?
Italian airline ITA had already cancelled 113 domestic flights as a result of the planned strikes on May 19th, though it said 68 percent of passengers were rebooked on different flights on the same day.
Cabin crew from several airlines were also scheduled to hold separate protests on Friday, and there was no word immediately as to whether or not these were also cancelled.
Staff at Air Dolomiti, a subsidiary of Lufthansa operating routes from Germany to 13 different Italian destinations, was reportedly set to take part in a 24-hour nationwide strike.
Passengers with checked baggage are likely to be affected by strike action at Italian airports on Friday. (Photo by TIZIANA FABI / AFP)
Italian cabin crew from Spanish airline Volotea were also planning strike from 1pm to 5pm on the same day.
Meanwhile, ground staff from American Airlines and Emirates said they would strike for four hours between 12 and 4pm.
Other than ITA, none of the airlines involved had so far confirmed any flight cancellations or delays.
Italy's civil aviation authority ENAC has published a list of flights that are guaranteed to go ahead on Friday.
READ ALSO: Should you travel in Italy when there’s a strike on?
Under Italian law, flights scheduled to leave between 7-10am and 6-9pm are also protected from strike action.
However, all passengers travelling on Friday are advised to check the status of their flight with their airline.
Trains and other forms of public transport in Italy will not be affected by strike action on Friday.
Italy is facing more strike disruption next Friday, May 26th, when public transport staff in many parts of the country will take part in a 24-hour protest.
Though Italian strike dates are announced well in advance, at the time of writing there were no details available about next week's planned protests and their potential impact on travel on the day.
You can keep up to date with the latest strike news from Italy HERE.
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But the strike was postponed on Thursday afternoon, the Italian transport minister said, in light of the disastrous flooding which hit parts of the country this week.
The nationwide protests were expected to cause some level of disruption at all major Italian airports, with half a dozen of Italy's biggest trade unions taking part.
The strike was called in protest over employment contracts for handling staff at Italian airports, as unions said pay and conditions had not been improved for six years.
READ ALSO: Why are there so many transport strikes in Italy?
Italian airline ITA had already cancelled 113 domestic flights as a result of the planned strikes on May 19th, though it said 68 percent of passengers were rebooked on different flights on the same day.
Cabin crew from several airlines were also scheduled to hold separate protests on Friday, and there was no word immediately as to whether or not these were also cancelled.
Staff at Air Dolomiti, a subsidiary of Lufthansa operating routes from Germany to 13 different Italian destinations, was reportedly set to take part in a 24-hour nationwide strike.
Italian cabin crew from Spanish airline Volotea were also planning strike from 1pm to 5pm on the same day.
Meanwhile, ground staff from American Airlines and Emirates said they would strike for four hours between 12 and 4pm.
Other than ITA, none of the airlines involved had so far confirmed any flight cancellations or delays.
Italy's civil aviation authority ENAC has published a list of flights that are guaranteed to go ahead on Friday.
READ ALSO: Should you travel in Italy when there’s a strike on?
Under Italian law, flights scheduled to leave between 7-10am and 6-9pm are also protected from strike action.
However, all passengers travelling on Friday are advised to check the status of their flight with their airline.
Trains and other forms of public transport in Italy will not be affected by strike action on Friday.
Italy is facing more strike disruption next Friday, May 26th, when public transport staff in many parts of the country will take part in a 24-hour protest.
Though Italian strike dates are announced well in advance, at the time of writing there were no details available about next week's planned protests and their potential impact on travel on the day.
You can keep up to date with the latest strike news from Italy HERE.
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