Flight disruptions throughout Italy

On 10 November 2008 Alitalia flight attendants and pilots launched a 24-hour wildcat strike, causing flight disruptions throughout Italy. The action began at 1800 local time and resulted in the cancellation of more than 100 Alitalia flights on 10 and 11 November. Most of the cancellations have been centered at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport (LIRF/FCO) and Milan's Linate (LIML/LIN) and Malpensa (LIMC/MXP) airports. The Alitalia employees oppose planned layoffs and route cuts intended to save the airline. Meanwhile, multiple aviation unions have announced a series of strikes that will take place between 25 November and 26 May 2009. There are 15 strikes planned in total, with some falling on holiday periods such as 6 December and 7 January. Separately, Ciampino Airport (LIRA/CIA) in Rome remained closed on 11 November due to the ongoing removal of a Ryanair aircraft that had been forced to make an emergency landing on the previous day after hitting a flock of birds.