Passengers travelling to and from Italy on Sunday December 15 could be impacted by nationwide air traffic control strikes, with the industrial action expected to cause widespread delays and cancellations across the country
Air travellers have been issued a warning widespread strikes set to paralyse a nation’s skies and have knock-on effects for 24 hours on Sunday, December 15.
Starting from midnight, Techno Sky employees, who are in charge of the technological infrastructure for Italy’s air navigation services, will down tools for an entire day. The company, with a workforce of 800, is responsible for the smooth running of 45 airports throughout Italy. Additionally, air traffic controllers at Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, and Bergamo Orio al Serio airports are planning a four-hour walkout from 1pm to 5pm local time.
Two of Italy’s major transport unions, FILT-CGIL and UILT-UIL, are backing these industrial actions. AirAdvisor CEO Anton Radchenko, whose company assists passengers in claiming compensation for disrupted flights, commented on the potential chaos: “Nationwide air traffic control strikes can have an extremely damaging effect on a country’s ability to effectively manage arrivals and departures at airports. They can end up causing mass delays and cancellations impacting numerous countries and airlines.”
He also recalled a recent incident where one country’s strikes had a knock-on impact across the Continent. “In April this year, Ryanair was forced to cancel 300 flights across Europe flights as a result of French air traffic controllers striking, affecting 50,000 passengers. It’s entirely possible that this action in Italy could have a similar effect,” Anton said.
“British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and Wizz Air all fly to Italy from the UK and if you’re due to travel to the country on December 15th, prepare for delays and cancellations. As we saw with the French air traffic control strikes in April, it’s not just flights in the country where industrial action is taking place that can be affected – strikes like these can have a real domino effect. They could end up causing travel misery for pre-Christmas travellers.
“In 2023, an estimated 16,000 flights were cancelled with 85,000 delayed as a result of air traffic control strikes in Europe. Because of this, when air traffic control strikes are imminent, we advise passengers to download their airline’s app and sign up for email or SMS alerts to stay informed about how the strikes could affect their travel plans.”
“If you’re at the airport and your flight is delayed or cancelled, ask your airline’s staff what caused the delay or cancellation and note down their answer. This will serve as supporting documentation if you choose to file a claim for compensation.”
Under current EU Regulation 261, passengers affected by delays and cancellations may be due up to £520 in compensation for the inconvenience caused to their travel plans.
It was reported earlier this week that a major European airline has had to axe hundreds of flights due to pilot strikes. Finnair is bracing for a massive hit to its pre-Christmas travel schedule as its aviators confirm strike action on December 9 and 13, 2024. The airline has been forced to ground around 300 flights, leaving approximately 33,000 passengers in the lurch.
The strikes are expected to cause significant upheaval, potentially affecting additional services in the days surrounding the industrial action. Around 30 flights to and from the UK have been cancelled, meaning thousands of Brits will be affected. Finnair’s Chief Operating Officer Jaakko Schildt said: “We’re disappointed that the pilots’ association has chosen to strike instead of continuing negotiations. This disrupts holiday travel for thousands of customers during the pre-Christmas period. We’re working hard to serve our customers in this challenging situation and will provide alternative flights wherever possible.”
