Strikes across France, Italy and England are expected to continue, disrupting or cancelling numerous flights due to the ongoing industrial action
Faced with staff shortages and continued strikes, flight and train travel in Europe has been battered with prolonged disruptions this summer. It now looks likely that the disruptions are set to continue in the comoing weeks and months, as well.
According to a press statement, strikes across France, Italy and England are expected to continue, disrupting or cancelling numerous flights due to the ongoing industrial action.
England
In response to subpar working conditions and discriminatory treatment, GH London, the airline’s ground handler, has declared a strike. The statement adds that ground handling staff at Luton Airport have called 24-hour strikes on September 6 and September 13. It is anticipated that the strikes may cause ‘huge disruption’ for passengers of low-cost European carrier Wizz Air, according to the British workers union Unite.
Italy
On September 8, ground personnel at airports all throughout Italy will participate in a 24-hour walkout. The Italian Federation of Agroindustrial Workers (FLAI Trasporti union), which represents baggage handlers, is anticipated to participate in the strike. However, the number of employees to be involved and the degree of interruption are yet unknown. On September 29, baggage handlers at airports across the nation will also go on strike for 24 hours.
The statement adds that on September 16, air traffic controllers will stage an eight-hour strike at airports across the nation. During strikes in Italy, some flights are protected, the list of which will be released a few days prior to the strike by Italy’s civil aviation authority (ENAC). The statement says that the strike shouldn’t affect flights scheduled to depart before 10:00 and after 18:00.
France
In France, air traffic control union have called for September and October strikes, headed by France‘s largest union for air traffic controllers (SNCTA). The action could see widespread flight cancellations and impact flights from other countries that cross French airspace. SNCTA has called on workers to conduct nationwide strikes on September 15 and October 13.
The Rugby World Cup, which will bring thousands of visitors to the nation, will coincide with the first walkout. The union lashed out at the ‘silence of the civil aviation authority (Direction générale de l’Aviation civile, DGAC)’ in the face of rising inflation.
During the Rugby World Cup, which takes place at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis from September 8 to October 28, Paris Metro employees are planning to go on strike. According to the statement, train drivers will receive a bonus in acknowledgment of the extra services they must provide during the event.
