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LAST UPDATE | 15 Jul 2023
STRIKES BY AIRPORT and airline staff have grounded hundreds of flights and left thousands of travellers stranded across Europe at the height of the busy summer tourism season.
In Italy, some 1,000 flights, both domestic and international, were cancelled as a result of the strike by ground crew, according to airport and airline authorities.
A spokesperson for Aer Lingus confirmed to The Journal that a number of flights between Dublin and Italian airports had been cancelled.
“Due to Italian industrial action we were forced to cancel flights EI402/403, EI412/213 and EI450/451 between Dublin and Rome, Verona and Naples on Saturday 15thJuly.
“All impacted customers received a communication via SMS or email to advise them of their travel options.
“Customers can check the status of their flight on aerlingus.com or via the App.”
Ryanair customers can check the status of their flight on the airline’s website.
Another 120 flights due to depart and arrive from Belgium’s Charleroi airport today and tomorrow have been cancelled, following a walkout of budget carrier Ryanair pilots over working conditions.
Italy’s strike alone left some 250,000 travellers stranded in one of the world’s top tourist spots.
Good morning, we're sorry to hear this. Flights have been disrupted due to the industrial strike in Italy and affecting some routes. Let us know if we can assist from here and we'll be happy to check any available options. https://t.co/h3SQABH8E7
— Aer Lingus (@AerLingus) July 15, 2023
It comes amid a record heatwave, billed by the national weather service as “one of the most intense of all time”, that would bring temperatures of at least 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) to Rome and 48 degrees Celsius to the islands of Sicily and Sardinia.
The strike by ground crew, who are demanding a new collective contract six years after the previous one expired, was due to last from 10:00 am (0800 GMT) to 6pm local time (4pm Irish time).
The airport in Rome saw some 200 flights cancelled, authorities said.
Flights by Malta Air, which handles transfers for popular budget carriers Ryanair, Vueling and Ita Airways, were also affected after pilots joined the walkout.
Milan’s airports saw some 150 flight cancellations, while dozens of others were grounded in Turin and Palermo.
Transport Minister Matteo Salvini called the strikers to exercise “common sense” so as “not to harm millions of other workers and tourists”.
According to Dublin Airport’s live flight information, several flights arriving from various Italian airports are delayed.
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Think its about time irish workforce went out on strike, demanding teh following
1. Abolishment of USC
2. Abolishment of License Fee or any equivalent
3. Review of cost and sale of grocery products in supermarkets, and including an analysis of Tesco’s nickname for Ireland as being ;Tresaure Island”. In fact, i think a special tax needs to be introduced for all major supermarket chains, we can call it the “Treasure Island Tax”
4. Immediate investigation into construction of Childrens Hospital build. BAM shoul dbe excluded from any further bidding on state contracts until completion. of both the Hospital and said investigation.
I actually have a list as long as my arm, but its time for a cuppa tae.
@UCD Trinity: On the hospital front, surely decent State procurement would cap the cost, include penalty clauses for delays in completion, and so on? (If BAM or others can meet reasonable criteria, let them bid away.)
Waiting for 10pm flight back from Rome once,captain announces A light is malfunctioning on one wing,due to Aviation Safety Protocol,we are unable to depart until repair. No service team in airport at this time,but at 6am a maintenance team will be on site. Stay aboard,free refreshments,or wait in Terminal,but all shops are closed. Stayed aboard. Shortly after 6am,a maintenance truck arrives,engineer winched up to problem area of wing. Back down to truck and returns with some tools. He begins to unscrew the housing,removes and replaces a bulb,screws it back together. Back down to truck,gives the captain the thumbs up and drives off! I told them I could have done that if you gave me a screwdriver and a stepladder!!! Unbelievable lol
Not going to italy for a human Barbecue that’s for sure
@david finglas: Better than the gray and rain anyday.
Must be fab there now. 100+ degrees and everyone on strike.
@Tony Murphy: 100 degrees, are you mad? I read it was only 40 to 45 degrees. That’s hot enough. Fine to call a place “boiling”, but not literally.
@Jerry LeFrog: 45 Celsius is 113 Fahrenheit.
@Pat Barry: What does that translate to in a Fan oven? I don’t want to burn my Garlic Ciabatta
I’ve been living here 20 year’s this year (Tuscany) and yes it’s hot but no different than 20 year’s ago when I arrived.. 37 degree’s here on the Tuscan coast and you can definitely feel it but if we need to escape it it’s only a 20 minute drive into the Apuane alps and it’s already 10 degree’s less :).. What a great result from Meath today btw :)
For once this is not France going on strike :)
@Anonymous User: Coz there recuperating from the riots ,, don’t worry they’ll be back striking on monday
Who would want to go to Italy with that weather? 47c is extremely hot and not suitable for humans.
@Alan Scott: Maybe they’re all taking refuge in the lakes or catacombs? Think of the wonderful Italian food and ice-cream, all the same. (I’ve always wanted to visit Italy but a night class in basic Italian was as far as I ever got!)
@F Fitzgerald: wonderful Italian food? Pasta and wine
have your say