Industrial action planned by Italy’s Air Traffic Control, airline workers expected to cause flight cancellations

A strike planned this coming weekend by Italy’s Air Traffic Control and airline workers from three low-cost airlines is expected to lead to flight cancellations, Malta International Airport warned on Friday.

On Sunday 17th July, a four-hour national strike between 2pm and 6pm will involve air traffic controllers from Italy’s ENAV group, and pilots and flight attendants from EasyJet, Volotea and Ryanair, as well as staff from Crewlink, the low-cost carrier’s official partner for recruiting cabin crew.

The strike comes at the height of Italy’s busy summer holiday season. For Malta, Italy tightened its grip on the stop spot of the national airport’s leaderboard in June, with Malta being a top destination for Italian holidaymakers, and vice versa.

In response, MIA urged travellers who have an upcoming flight to or from Italy on Sunday to “contact your airline for more information on whether [their] flight will be affected.”

It also urged travellers to check MIA’s arrivals and departures page.