Italian airport strikes set to cause ‘major disruption and delays’
Passengers travelling in and out of Italy are being warned they face ‘major disruption and delays’ tomorrow (Tuesday) because of industrial action at airports.
Unionised staff, including security agents, ticketing agents and baggage handlers have threatened to strike at certain airports across the country from 1pm-5pm local time.
Taxis serving some of the country’s train stations have also threatened to strike.
Travel management companies including Carlson Wagonlit Travel and Giles Travel are telling clients to check their flight status ahead of travel.
Carlson Wagonlit Travel has advised clients: "Unless averted, severe flight delays and disruptions are expected.
"Travellers are encouraged to check the status of their flight before departure."
Giles Travel said: "Several aviation strikes have been announced to take place in Italy on November 21: airport staff in Florence, Pisa and Bologna have announced strikes from 1pm-5pm.
"At the same time a nationwide strike of skycaps is planned to take place.
"If the strikes are held as planned and followed by enough workers, major air traffic disruptions are to be expected."
EasyJet said it is making contingency plans. An announcement on its website said: "We have been informed of strike action in Italy on Tuesday November 21, which will affect ground handling services between 13:00 and 17:00 local times.
"We’re working on finalising a plan to minimise the impact of this strike.
"Any customers whose flights are affected will be contacted. In the meantime please use our Flight Tracker to see the latest status of your flight.
"Although this situation is outside of our control, we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused."
Tomorrow’s strike is the first of several planned days of industrial action to affect the Italian travel network in the run up to Christmas.
On Friday December 1, some airport personnel will strike for 24 hours at Milan airports, while the following week, on Thursday December 7, Alitalia staff are set to stage a 24-hour strike.
Nationwide airport industrial action has been threatened for Friday, December 15 – this time for 24 hours, while train staff are striking for eight hours on Sunday December 17.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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