Italy and France flights could be disrupted this month as a series of aviation strikes are threatened. Staff at Italian airports and employees of airlines Alitalia and Air Italy will be walking out as soon as tomorrow. On Friday – the biggest day of the week for aviation – workers will go on strike from 12pm to 4pm local time, reported The Independent. So will Britons heading to Italy on a bank holiday getaway be affected by the industrial action?
EasyJet has said it “plans to operate its full flying schedule,” the airline told The Independent.
The budget carrier – which has dozens of flights between the UK and Italy scheduled – added: “We do recommend that all customers flying to or from Italy on Friday 3 May allow extra time to get to the airport.
“Although this is outside of our control we would like to apologise to customers for any inconvenience and would like to assure them that we are doing all possible to minimise any disruption as a result of the industrial action.”
Alitalia – which flies from London and Manchester – has yet to say if its flights will be disrupted.
British Airways told The Independent its flights to and from Italy will not be impacted.
French travel is set to be affected next week as air traffic controllers in France plan to strike on Thursday 9 May.
The air traffic controllers – along with millions of other public servants including engineers – are walking out in opposition to President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to change public service working conditions.
The French industrial action will see a walkout between 7pm local time on 8 May to 6am on 10 May.
The strike is highly likely to cause delays and cancellations due to the large number of aircraft which fly over France.
However, the extent of the travel disruption will not be known until next week.
Coordinating body Eurocontrol is to conduct a teleconference on Tuesday 7 May – after which the impact on travel will be clearer, reported The Independent.
This means anyone due to fly during the period of industrial action will be unable to make alternative arrangements until the last minute.
So what should plane passengers do if they find their airline has delayed their flight? Coby Benson, Flight Delay Compensation Solicitor at Bott and Co said: “Many passengers are still not aware that they have more rights than they think if their flight is delayed or cancelled.
“If the disruption is not caused by extraordinary circumstances – for example, technical faults or cabin crew sickness – passengers may be able to claim up to 600 Euros.
“EU Regulation 261/2004 also includes care and assistance rules that airlines must adhere to if passengers are stuck at the airport and have been delayed by 2-4 hours or have had their flight cancelled.
“Food and drink vouchers should be provided as well as means for passengers to communicate, including being entitled to a telephone call and an email.
“Accommodation must be provided if passengers are delayed overnight and transport to and from the accommodation and the airport must also be provided.”
