Travelers planning a trip to Italy in the coming month are advised to prepare for potential disruptions on specific dates as the country’s travel sector foresees significant turmoil at airports, possibly leading to flight cancellations or delays.
Reports from Italian media suggest that Monday, May 11, is expected to be a challenging day for air travel. Regional strikes are set to coincide with a national strike by EasyJet from 10am to 6pm, as per Il Sole 24 Ore.
Various protests at the local level across different sectors are poised to impact air transport services. Employees from airport service and security companies in Cagliari, Enav in Rome and Naples, Adr Security in Fiumicino, and handling companies in Palermo are all slated to participate in the strikes.
According to a bulletin from travel management company Cisalpina Tours International, Rome Airport is expected to experience delays and cancellations due to a strike by ENAV staff at the Rome air traffic control center on May 11 from 10am to 6pm.
Kate Donnelly, a British content creator and travel business owner, shared insights on TikTok about the strikes affecting air travel. She highlighted that air traffic control staff strikes in Rome and Naples, alongside a separate EasyJet strike involving pilots and cabin crew within Italy, could lead to flight disruptions.
Donnelly emphasized the possibility of flight delays and cancellations during the strikes, urging travelers to stay informed about their flight schedules and notifications for any sudden changes.
Additionally, she mentioned another upcoming strike on Friday, May 29, which is expected to cause widespread disruptions in Italy, affecting public services like rail and road networks, with train services impacted from the evening of Thursday, May 28.
Passengers facing flight cancellations are entitled to either a replacement flight or a full refund under EU/UK regulations that cover flights departing from EU airports, including those in Italy.
While passengers may not claim compensation from airlines for delays caused by extraordinary circumstances like industrial actions by air traffic controllers, airport staff, and ground handlers, they could be eligible for additional compensation if the strike involves airline staff directly, such as EasyJet’s pilots and cabin crew.
In a separate development, Spanish tourism authorities have cautioned UK holidaymakers about potential flight cost increases as the peak season approaches. Spain’s Industry and Tourism Minister highlighted the impact of rising flight costs on tourism growth and advised travelers to book tickets early to avoid fluctuations in prices.
Authorities are working to address potential fuel shortages to ensure a smooth summer travel season for tourists visiting Spain.