STRIKES are due to take place at a popular holiday destination this month – and it could affect your summer flights.
There’s nothing worse than turning up at the airport for your holiday, only to find out your trip has been delayed or cancelled.
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But that could be happening to people heading to Italy this summer, with airport staff planning walkouts.
Baggage handlers have planned their strikes at a number of Italian airports on July 5.
This is likely to prevent luggage from being loaded on and off planes and in turn result in lengthy delays.
Handlers at Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa are set to walk out for 24 hours, making life difficult for passengers heading to and from the north Italian city.
Meanwhile, baggage staff at both Venice Marco Polo, and Bologna Guglielmo Marconi are holding a strike of their own, between 1 and 5pm on the same day.
Air traffic controllers (ATC) at Marco Polo will also down tools between 1 and 5pm, which could well cause delays and problems for passengers.
They aren’t the only strikes planned in Italy this summer either, with ATC staff at Milan Linate and Bergamo Orio al Serio airport planning another walkout later in the month.
On July 21, again between 1 and 5pm, passengers have been warned that they could be hit by delays or cancellations due to the industrial action.
For anyone who may be planning to head to Italy this summer, but is worried about there being more strikes, there’s some good news.
Strikes are not permitted in Italy between certain dates to prevent them from affecting too many holidaymakers.
According to Which?: “Italy’s air transport sector is not permitted between 27 July and 5 September.”
That will come as welcome relief to many Brits, choosing to head to Italy this summer.
The European country is the UK’s third favourite holiday destination, behind only Spain and France.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of the “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
Around five million Brits head to Italy for their holidays every single year.
Around twice as mane people head to France too and, although there are no strikes planned there currently, there doesn’t mean there won’t be any.
Which? has warned passengers heading to France to keep an eye out for walkouts, as some could be called with little notice.
Holidaymakers due to fly over or through France could also be affected, should ATC staff there decide on taking action.
They continued: “In France, strikes are often announced last minute, so keep your eyes peeled.
“ATC strikes in France don’t just affect journeys flying into and out of the country, they also affect flights travelling over French airspace. “
Meanwhile, these strikes are also set to hit two UK airports this summer.
And walkouts are expected to cause ‘significant disruption‘ later in the year.
