Travellers flying in or out of Italian airports tomorrow should expect flight disruptions.
Three different strikes are taking place on Friday, with two set to affect air traffic. Rome’s public transport network will be impacted by the third walkout.
Here’s what travellers need to know.
Volotea and easyJet workers in Italy walk out
Employees of the Spanish airline Volotea, who are members of the UILT-UIL union, will be on strike from 12:00am to 11:59pm on Friday, 14 November.
Pilots and cabin crew are demanding recognition of company union representation and a fairer contract.
“This mobilisation is necessary to assert the rights and dignity of Volotea workers, whose demands remain unheard,” the union said in a statement.
It warned that protests will also be organised at the country’s main airports tomorrow.
EasyJet flight attendants, represented by the USB Lavoro Privato union, will also be walking out for four hours, from 1pm to 5pm, to protest their working conditions and lack of protection.
Will flights be disrupted by the strikes?
EasyJet and Volotea flights are likely to be hit by delays and cancellations during the period of industrial action.
The good news is that the Italian National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) stipulates that some flights must be guaranteed during strikes.
From 7am to 10am and 6pm to 9pm, flights scheduled must operate. This said, these services may still experience delays as a knock-on effect from the flights affected during the non-guaranteed window.
Travellers are urged to check directly with their airline or tour operator about the status of their flight.
Rome public transport to be affected by strikes on Friday
Friday will also be a difficult day for those travelling on Atac public transport in Rome, including buses, trams and the metro. The trade unions USB Lavoro Privato and Orsa Tpl have called two rounds of strikes in a 24-hour period.
The time slots will be from 8:30am to 5pm and from 8pm to the end of the daytime service.
There will be two guaranteed service slots: from the start of the daytime service until 8:29am and from 5pm to 7:59pm.
Italy airport strikes continue at the end of November
Flight disruption is set to return at the end of November. On the 28th, there will be a national general strike called by grassroots unions.
The walkout will involve ground staff from Air France and KLM between 9am and 5pm.
Railway workers have also called for 24 hours of industrial action from 9pm on 27 November to 9pm on 28 November.
