Italy: Flight cancelations due to air traffic controllers strike January 14 /update 1

Event

Air traffic controllers in Italy confirmed that they will participate in the transportation strike scheduled on Tuesday, January 14. They will stop working from 13:00 to 17:00 (local time) on Tuesday. Alitalia has consequently announced at least a hundred domestic and international flight cancelations scheduled on Tuesday. Staff at Bologna Guglielmo Marconi (BLQ), Rome Fiumicino (FCO), Rome Ciampino (CIA), Reggio Calabria (REG), Ancona (AOI), Perugia (PEG), Aeroporto D'Abruzzo at Pescara (PSR), and Venice Marco Polo (VCE) airports, as well as Easyjet cabin staff and Ernest Airline staff, are also due to strike nationwide on Tuesday. Further flight disruptions, including delays and cancelatons and increased demand for alternative flights, are expected amid the work stoppages. 

Several transportation unions have called for strikes across Italy on Saturday, January 11, through to at least Saturday, January 25.

On January 11, Volotea Airline staff will strike at VCE for four hours, from 10:00 to 14:00.  

On Monday, January 13, Roma Tpl and Cotri public transportation staff will strike in Rome, likely affecting the city's metro and bus network operations.

On Friday, January 24, rail unions in Turin have called for a 24-hour strike lasting through to January 25. 

System-wide transportation disruptions and an increased demand for alternative transportation are to be expected.

Context

Transportation-related strikes are frequent in Italy and can be highly disruptive. However, in accordance with Italian law, minimum levels of services must be guaranteed during all industrial and social actions.

Advice

Individuals across Italy are advised to monitor developments, anticipate disruptions and an increased demand for alternative transportation, confirm flight reservations, budget additional time to reach their destinations for the duration of the strikes, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.