Air disruption predicted as controllers walk out

easyJet said it expects the strikes in Italy and Portugal – the timings of which are expected to differ from country to country – will have “a significant impact”.

Both British Airways (BA) and easyJet have re-timed flights with BA also using larger planes to help affected passengers and cancelled flights to and from Italy, a spokeswoman said.

Both airlines advise customers to check their websites for the status of their flights, with easyjet, which said it would email passengers due to travel on re-timed flights, adding delays are possible because of the knock-on impact of the strike.

In a statement, easyJet said the Italian Air Traffic Control personnel are due to strike from 1pm local time until 5pm local time, while the Portuguese controllers are on strike between 7am to 9am and 2pm to 4pm local time.

It added: “Like all airlines flying to/ from/and over these countries, we expect it will have a significant impact on our flights during these periods.”

easyJet said the industrial action is likely to continue tomorrow as French Air Traffic control staff join the action.

UK Air traffic controllers will work normally today and tomorrow, NATS said.

BA reminded travellers to check their website for latest details before setting off while easyJet apologised for any inconvenience caused.