Airlines for Europe (A4E) said yesterday’s four-hour walkout by air traffic control workers in Italy was likely to have caused the cancellation of over 500 flights.
A4E said there was also a a knock-on effect on other European flights because of the disruption, with additional delays and extensive rescheduling for passengers and airlines.
A4E managing director Thomas Reynaert said: "There are solutions available which would limit the impact of such strikes on travellers and business, without questioning controllers’ fundamental right to strike – we just need courageous policy-makers in Europe to help implementing them, now."
"Travellers can unite and let out their frustration about the continuous travel disruptions supporting our petition ‘Keep Europe’s Skies open’.
"We cannot let these strikes continue into the holidays and the summer break."
