09-07-2025
Italy's ITA Airways cancels dozens of flights ahead of Thursday's strike
Flight delays and cancellations were expected at Italian airports on Thursday as baggage handlers in airports across the country prepared to take part in a 24-hour walkout backed by FLAI, one of Italy's biggest trade unions.
Italian flag carrier ITA Airways said in a statement on Tuesday that it had cancelled a total of 36 domestic and international flights ahead of Thursday's strike.
All of the cancelled flights were scheduled to depart from or arrive at either Rome Fiumicino or Milan Linate.
Cancelled services on Thursday included a flight from Milan Linate to London City (AZ226) and a flight in the opposite direction (AZ227).
Other ITA Airways cancellations couldn't be ruled out as the carrier advised anyone scheduled to be travelling with them on Thursday to check the status of their flight before leaving for the airport.
The airline said that passengers affected by cancellations or changes to planned departure times would be able to rebook their journey free of charge by Wednesday, July 16th.
In the event of cancellations or delays of over five hours, passengers could also claim a full refund by the same deadline, it added.
The FLAI-backed baggage handlers walkout was just one of multiple airport and airline staff strikes planned for Thursday.
These included a 24-hour walkout by pilots and cabin crew at British budget carrier EasyJet, and strikes by drivers at Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa airports.
Besides ITA, no other airline had announced flight cancellations as of Wednesday afternoon.
