Travellers in Italy face more hardship today amid strike action by staff of the debt-ridden national airline Alitalia.

The company is in the throes of a takeover deal, but many staff, including pilots and aircrew, are unhappy with the new owners’ proposals on work contracts.

They launched a 24-hour strike yesterday evening, causing the cancellation of dozens of international and national flights. It added to chaos across the country arising from a seperate public transport strike.

But Alitalia’s striking unions could face legal repercussions. The government says their stoppage is illegal as the authorities were not given enough prior notice.

Alitalia faces collapse if the consortium buying it pulls out of the deal.

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