What to expect from Italy's airport strike on Tuesday

Airline passengers travelling to or from Italy face further disruption on Tuesday, June 20th, due to a nationwide airport staff walkout which has already caused ITA Airways to cancel 42 flights. Italy was braced for yet more travel disruption on Tuesday following announcements that ground staff at airports around the country will take part in a 24-hour walkout. As three of the country's largest transport workers' unions are involved in the strike, the protest was expected to cause at least some disruption at all of Italy's major airports, especially at check-in desks and in baggage collection areas. Unions called the strike as they pushed for salary increases in line with inflation and a contractual holiday allowance, and a general improvement in working conditions for both ground and air transport staff. Handling staff at airports across Italy, including Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa, were set to strike for the full 24 hours alongside workers for the low-cost airline Vueling. As of Monday morning, Vueling had not released a public statement on the strike. ITA Airways, the successor to Alitalia, said on Monday it had so far cancelled 42 domestic flights.<br/>