Pilots and ground crew from Alitalia and some other airlines planning a day of industrial action on Friday in Italy. Cancellations and delays are expected.
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Plane passengers in Italy and elsewhere in Europe were being advised to contact airlines on Friday as widespread industrial action in the sector was expected to cause cancellations and delays.
In Italy workers planning industrial action included air traffic controllers, service handlers and other transportation employees. Alitalia employees, including pilots, were planning to strike for the whole day leading the airline to announce that up to 70 flights could be affected. Pilots and flight attendants are protesting about non-compliance with some workers' rights.
Some employees of Spanish airline Vueling were also planning to strike in Italy although not for the entire day.
Ryanair pilots and ground crew in Italy and several other countries are also planning stoppages on Friday, the first in the airline's 32 year history. Ryanair pilots in Germany and Spain said they were also considering action.
Alitalia invited all customers already holding tickets for travel on 15 December to check the status of their flights before going to the airport on the company's website, or call the airline on the toll-free number 800.65.00.55 (within Italy), at +39 06.65649 (from overseas).