Air travel across Europe may be disrupted this week due to threats of strikes by workers in the aviation industry.
Strikes are planned for tomorrow, 9 April, in Italy and Greece, which may impact families taking a trip during the UK’s school break. Those planning trips in the run-up to the Easter holiday could be impacted, too.
Travellers are advised to check their flight status regularly and prepare for potential delays and cancellations.
Italy: EasyJet Cabin Crew Strike
EasyJet Flight attendants associated with Italian labor unions (FILT, CGIL, and UIL) plan to go on strike on April 9th between 10:30 am and 2:30 pm CET.
Industrial actions are anticipated to impact certain flights arriving at and departing from Milan and Naples airports.
"We want to assure our customers that we are making every effort to reduce any disruptions caused by the strike action. If any flights are affected, we will reach out to them personally to discuss their alternatives and assist in rescheduling their trips," the company stated. airline as reported by the UK newspaper The Independent.
Greece: Air Traffic Controllers Plan Strikes
The strike in Italy occurs on the same day as protests taking place elsewhere. Greece , possibly exacerbating travel disruptions throughout the continent.
Greek air traffic controllers have planned a 24-hour strike called by the public sector employee federation ADEDY on 9 April.
ADEDY is demanding the reinstatement of bonus holiday salaries, real wage increases and measures to combat Greece’s housing crisis .
“Unfortunately, air traffic control in Greece is in a bad situation as we have staffing shortages and equipment problems which cause a lot of delays in the last years and will cause a lot this year as well,” the Greek Air Traffic Controllers’ Association told The Independent.
The group added that staff would restrict flight handling during the walkout to medical and search and rescue services, humanitarian aid and military flights, and emergencies, according to the Greek media.
This means commercial flights to and from the country will bear the brunt of the disruption .
Visitors are encouraged to monitor their flight status frequently and be prepared for potential delays and cancellations.