Assohandlers represents handlers at major airports including Milan Malpensa, Rome Fiumicino, Naples, Catania and Venice. Companies falling under Assohandlers’ banner include Airport Handling, which works with airlines like easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air
An airport control tower fire and widespread strikes have thrown Italy’s aviation sector into chaos.
Flights have been cancelled in Italy’s major airports due to nationwide strikes taking place today. To add to the disruption, all air traffic at Ciampino Airport in Rome has been suspended after a fire broke out there this morning.
Ciampino Airport – the second largest in the Italian capital – has had to suspend all flights after a small and already extinguished fire just broke out inside the tower of ENAV, the Italian Air navigation service provider, Euronews reported.
Major airports in Italy already began cancelling flights on Tuesday in preparation for a nationwide day of strikes, with union workers walking out for 24 hours as part of a long running dispute. Some trains and public transport in Milan and the rest of the Lombardy region have also been impacted by strikes.
Handling staff belonging to companies associated with Assohandlers, one of Italy’s largest aviation associations are set to walk out for 24 hours this Wednesday, with an aviation expert suggesting the strikes could cause massive disruption to air services to and from the country.
Assohandlers represents handlers at major airports including Milan Malpensa, Rome Fiumicino, Naples, Catania and Venice. Companies falling under Assohandlers’ banner include Airport Handling, which works with airlines like easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air. Key responsibilities of handling staff include baggage services, boarding assistance, aircraft loading and unloading.
Malpensa, Rome Fiumicino, Naples, Catania, and Venice have had to cancel flights due to the nationwide strike. More flights could be cancelled during the day, and ITA Airways have advised passengers to check the status of their flight before heading to the airport. Flights out of the country to the likes of Madrid and Paris have already been cancelled today.
Air passenger rights expert Anton Radchenko of AirAdvisor, said: “When airport handlers strike, airports and carriers are presented with a very tricky situation. Handlers are a vital component of a machine with a number of moving parts, so when staff from any part of that machine walkout, services are likely to be affected by delays and cancellations.
“As well at disrupted flights, strikes like these can result in luggage not making it on to flights. Last February, Aviapartner handling staff at Brussels Airport went on strike at short notice which caused significant delays to flights and led to passengers experiencing issues with their luggage. Another previous Aviapartner strike at Brussels resulted in massive disruption, more than 100 flights were cancelled in a single day – affected airlines included Ryanair and KLM.
“In the past, Aviapartner’s staff have cited outdated equipment and high workloads as reasons to strike. If you’re travelling between the UK and Italy with airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz, TUI or British Airways, don’t underestimate the damage that these strikes could cause to your travel plans.”