Strikes to disrupt air travel in Italy on 5 July

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Strike action on 5 July to affect airports in Rome, Milan and Catania. A series of overlapping strikes across Italy's aviation sector on Sunday 5 July is set to cause significant disruption to air travel, including at Milan Malpensa, Rome's Fiumicino and Ciampino, and Catania. The action involves multiple unions and categories of workers. The principal strike was called by Cub Trasporti, which has declared a 24-hour national walkout of staff responsible for ground handling, aircraft refuelling and baggage management. This strike is set to be compounded by separate walkouts affecting air traffic control, airport security, and airline cabin crews. Air traffic controllers in Milan At Milan Malpensa, a 24-hour strike by ENAV air traffic control staff is scheduled from 00.01 to 24.00, along with a separate four-hour stoppage for ENAV personnel between 13.00 and 17.00. The ENAV action at Malpensa and the Milan Area Control Centre, which manages airspace across northern Italy, has the potential to affect overflying aircraft as well as departures and arrivals. Rome and Catania Security staff at Rome's Fiumicino and Ciampino airports are set to strike from 10.00 to 18.00, while at Catania's Fontanarossa airport a four-hour strike by baggage handlers is scheduled from 14.00 to 18.00. easyJet Two separate 24-hour strikes involving pilots and cabin crew of budget airline easyJet were called by unions for 5 July, both scheduled to run from 00.00 to 23.59. Travel advice Italy's civil aviation authority, ENAC, reminds passengers that two protected time windows apply during strikes, when flights must operate as normal: 07.00-10.00 and 18.00-21.00. Passengers due to fly in Italy on 5 July are advised to check the status of their flights directly with their airline before travelling to the airport. Travellers whose flights are cancelled are entitled to choose between a full refund of their ticket or rebooking on the next available service to their destination. For official strike information see the Italian transport ministry website. Photo credit: Canary4stock / Shutterstock.com.