Easyjet passengers travelling to and from Italy have been informed that strikes will take place in the country.
Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has alerted air travellers to the planned strike by easyJet pilots belonging to several major European pilot unions on Monday next week.
Organised by ANPAC (Associazione Nazionale Professionale Aviazione Civile) and RSA, the strike is likely to take place between 12 noon and 4pm on February 24 (Monday).
It comes as workers across various sectors in Italy will protest on the weekend of February 22 to 23, and on February 24, affecting trains, buses, and other public transport services.
Workers demand wage increases, citing inadequate responses to their requests for contract renewals, which have not materialised satisfactorily.
International aviation lawyer Anton Radchenko, who heads-up AirAdvisor, a business that has supported over 400,000 air passengers with compensation claims explains: “Pilot strikes can be hugely problematic for airlines – and expensive too.
“Unlike bad weather which is usually perceived by the courts as extraordinary circumstances and means that airlines don’t always have to compensate passengers for cancelled or delayed flights – airline staff strikes are viewed as within an airline’s control.
“This is because disagreements between airlines and unions can often be settled by improving staff pay or conditions.”
While it is not yet known whether flight schedules will be affected by the strikes, it’s possible a ‘domino effect’ caused by the strikes could lead to Europe-wide travel chaos, the expert has warned.
He continued: “If a flight departs later than planned, this can have a domino effect as far as other flights’ departure slots are concerned – causing them to take off late too. Strikes like these can have an impact on flights across the world.
“This could just be the start of a turbulent year for airline strikes, with aviation staff and their unions across Europe pushing for better working conditions and improved perks, like pensions. Airline staff strikes tend to become more prevalent in the summer months, when industrial action by employees can have a greater impact on their employers’ operations.
Under EU law, if a flight is cancelled, the airline must offer a refund or alternative flights. If your flight is delayed, you may be entitled to refunds for unplanned expenses, such as food and accommodation.
Express.co.uk has contacted Easyjet for a comment.
