Around 500 Flights Cancelled in Italy Due to 4-Hour Strikes
Commenting on the matter, Fabrizio Cuscito, a union official, said that the employees of low-cost airlines and air traffic controllers held a strike as they are requesting better pay and improved working conditions, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.
According to the Ministry of Transport of Italy, the strikes were held by workers of three airlines – Ryanair, easyJet, and Volotea, the Washington Post explains. In addition, the same notes that the strike began at 2 pm, whereas the air traffic controller’s walkout began at 1 pm.
Taking into account the ongoing flight chaos, the Italian Ministry of Sustainable Infrastructure and Mobility just recently advised passengers to pack light to avoid long waiting times at airports. The Ministry said that everyone is recommended to only bring hand luggage.
Apart from making such a recommendation, the Ministry also pointed out that they would optimise their efforts and ensure maximum commitment was made so that air traffic takes place in the most appropriate conditions.
Despite the Ministry claiming that Italy is not facing as many issues as the other European countries, Italy was part of the top ten list of the countries that cancelled the highest number of flights scheduled to fly between July 1 and July 15.
The travel intelligence platform, Mabrian, revealed last week that Italy cancelled a total of 637 flights scheduled to fly between July 1 and 15. In addition, the same pointed out that the total share of outbound flights cancelled in Italy during the above-mentioned period is 2,30 per cent.
European airlines have been cancelling a high number of flights lately. Of the total number of flights cancelled all over the world for August, 60 per cent of them are in Europe. The most recent data from Cirium shows that Europe has cancelled over 15,700 flights scheduled to fly in August.
The high number of flight cancellations follows the staff shortages and as well as other issues that airports in Europe have been dealing with.
Considering the current air travel situation, the EU Commission reminded all passengers of their rights.
The Commission pointed out that all passengers travelling in the EU have the right to choose between reimbursement, re-routing, or return if their flight gets cancelled. Additionally, the same emphasised that passengers whose flights are cancelled are entitled to assistance at the airport.
