Holidaymakers flying to or from Italy next week have been warned to expect disruption due to strike action. Passengers are facing simultaneous strikes, with EasyJet pilots and Italian baggage handlers preparing to walk out on the same day. It’s expected that the low-cost carrier’s pilots will begin their strikes at midnight (Central European Time) on March 24, with the walkout lasting 24 hours. Meanwhile, Italy’s largest airport handler association, Assohandlers – representing baggage handlers and ground staff at major airports including Milan Malpensa, Rome Fiumicino, Naples, Catania, and Venice – will be striking the same day.
Although the action has been backed by powerful European unions including ANPAC (National Association of Professional Civil Aviation), FILT (Italian Federation of Transport Workers), and CGIL (General Confederation of Italian Labor), it is set to cause significant disruption. Thousands of flights might be delayed or cancelled, with air passenger rights expert Anton Radchenko warning that these walkouts pose a ‘dual threat’ to travellers flying on that day.
“These strikes present a dual threat to air passengers’ plans,” Radchenko, CEO at AirAdvisor, explains. “Pilot walkouts are particularly damaging and regularly lead to flights being cancelled. On this occasion, the pilots’ industrial action coinciding with handler strikes in Italy could lead to large-scale disruption.”
EasyJet is in a particularly awkward position; not only will its pilots be striking, but also staff at one of its key handling partners in Italy. “When pilots strike, carriers may draft in standby or management pilots that belong to unions that aren’t striking. However, this is a complicated process and doesn’t prevent services from being cancelled,” Radchenko adds.
Passengers may not receive compensation for disruption due to strikes since it can be categorized as outside the control of airlines. However, they are entitled to care and assistance if their flight is delayed or cancelled. Under UK law, airlines must provide care and assistance if a flight is delayed more than two hours for a short-haul flight, more than three hours for a medium-haul flight, or more than four hours for a long-haul flight. This can include free meals, accommodation, and transport to and from the airport.
Depending on the distance of the planned journey, affected easyJet passengers could be eligible for up to £520 in compensation. Radchenko explains: “EasyJet is obliged to pay up for flights cancelled as a result of their own staff striking because the courts consider the inconvenience to be within the airline’s control – in other words, avoidable.”
If you're due to travel with EasyJet or on any airline’s flight to Italy on March 24, make sure you have your airline’s app on your phone and sign up for email and SMS alerts. “Keep an eye on your carrier’s website and social media channels too. Use a compensation calculator to figure out what you might be owed if your flight is delayed or cancelled,” Radchenko advises.
This impending strike action follows a series of previous walkouts earlier this year, which also led to widespread cancellations and delays.
In addition to the potential disruptions on March 24, cities across Italy will face significant disruption to local transport services on March 21 due to national industrial action lasting 24 hours. Major travelers in Rome, Milan, and other cities are expected to be affected.
Meanwhile, EasyJet has also issued a reminder for travelers heading to Turkey to check the validity of their passports before flying. Most EU citizens and British passport holders do not need a visa for tourist visits lasting less than 90 days within a 180-day timeframe. However, there are exceptions, especially for service passport holders or British Overseas Citizens, making it crucial to verify travel advice before departing.
From January 1, 2015, your passport must be valid for at least 60 days beyond the duration of the visa, e-visa, visa exemption, or residence permit. For a 90-day visa, your passport should remain valid for a minimum of 150 days (90 days + 60 days) from the date of entry.
EasyJet encourages travelers to apply for an e-Visa online at www.evisa.gov.tr and check for any updates on travel regulations on the official government websites.
Moreover, additional security measures have been implemented for flights to the UK from Turkey, Tunisia, Jordan, Morocco, and Egypt, as noted on EasyJet's website. According to the airline, “Enhanced security protocols are currently in effect for flights from these regions to the UK.”
Passengers are advised to keep their electronic devices charged, as they may need to prove they can power them on during security screenings. If a device cannot be turned on, passengers might have to leave it behind or check it in.
As travel chaos looms due to the upcoming strikes and heightened security protocols, passengers travelling during this period are urged to stay informed and prepared for possible disruptions.
