Italy holidays in chaos as tourists face airport and taxi mayhem this week | World | News
Italy is bracing for a series of strikes that threatens to cause chaos and major disruptions for travellers. Taxi drivers and airport workers are planning to stage a number of walk-outs on Wednesday, May 28.
Baggage handlers at Milan’s Malpensa and Linate airports will down tools for four hours between 13.00 and 17.00, leading to possible cancellations and delays to flights. Italian-based pilots and flight attendants at EasyJet are also scheduled to strike for the same four hour period. EasyJet passengers flying on Wednesday are advised to check the status of their flight with the airline before going to the airport.
In a further blow for travellers, taxi drivers in Rome, Naples, Turin and Lamezia Terme are to stage a 24-hour strike.
Their colleagues in Bari plan similar action, although for just a 12-hour period from 09.00 to 21.00.
Italy has been beset by a number of strikes in recent months, many involving air travel.
On December 15, 2024, a nationwide walkout by air traffic controllers and ground staff disrupted flight operations across major airports.
The strikes caused havoc and led to numerous delays and cancellations of flights, much to the frustration of passengers.
Travellers across Europe are facing further misery over the summer, as unions call for more industrial action.
The CGT-Cheminots – the railway branch of the CGT union – has called on its members to strike on June 4, 5, and 11.
Train drivers and ticket inspectors that are not affiliated to the union are set to hold industrial action also on June 4 and 11 respectively.
The unions are demanding better pay and working conditions, as well as overtime and retirement agreements for workers.
“Our mobilisations are helping to loosen the stranglehold that management wanted to put us in,” union representatives said.
The days of the action – two Wednesdays and a Thursday – fall outside of any public holiday in France, meaning there will be less impact on holidaymakers as opposed to a strike called at the weekend.
