Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Your Alitalia Update: Saved but On Strike
One of Europe's most troubled major airlines, Alitalia, is in a good news, bad news kind of state at the moment. At one point, the beleaguered carrier was within hours of shutting down, unable to pay for fuel on more than a day to day basis. However, a new set of investors appeared that the Italian government could live with, and EU regulators approved the deal this week - with a nice little bonus. They ruled that the 300 million Euro bailout loan that the Italian government gave Alitalia was illegal and therefore doesn't have to be paid back by the new owners.
However, the news isn't all rosy. Alitalia workers upset at the thought of layoffs and restructuring, even though the unions by and large accepted the deal, are sort of on strike. The whole airline isn't shut down, because its not a stoppage strike - but rather a work to rule stoppage. This means that employees are working the bare minimum the contracts require and not a minute more. So far this as resulted in around 200 flights canceled over the last 48 hours or so with more to come.
The good news: your Alitalia ticket, once a risky proposition is probably safer now than it has been in years. The bad news: it might take a couple extra days to use it.
However, the news isn't all rosy. Alitalia workers upset at the thought of layoffs and restructuring, even though the unions by and large accepted the deal, are sort of on strike. The whole airline isn't shut down, because its not a stoppage strike - but rather a work to rule stoppage. This means that employees are working the bare minimum the contracts require and not a minute more. So far this as resulted in around 200 flights canceled over the last 48 hours or so with more to come.
The good news: your Alitalia ticket, once a risky proposition is probably safer now than it has been in years. The bad news: it might take a couple extra days to use it.
Labels: alitalia, bankruptcy, travel
Roger, 8:18 AM
2 Comments:
Anonymous, at November 15, 2008 1:40 AM
I can only support what has been said in the above comment - got stuck many many hours at the Rome airport Friday night and parts of the night Friday to Saturday night. The most annoying experience was not getting any information, if the flight to Brindisi I was waiting for would ever ever be operated, or not, instead, about 20 variants of explanations on reasons and whats happening moved around at the gates, and Alitalia employees gradually leaving the whole area, as it got late and in the middle of the night. I did not see any of the assistance mentioned on the alitalie website regarding passenger rights in case of delayed and cancelled fligths. The whole desaster between Friday and today has cost me not only a considerable amount of money, but also two nightsof sleep and many many hours that were spent in order to find suitcases again - not to mention the lost and found phone number at Brindisi airport which was never answered.
Italians should insist to let this National flag bearer to close down before it will drag the rest of the Italian economy down with it.
A complete dis-service to customer, cancelling flight at boarding
time with no reason given to customers,no assistance whatsoever
given to customer,told to re-collect luggage from belt #26 that
never arrived,rude baggage claims office. Alitalia is a total
disaster and should be grounded
All Alitalia staff should be trained how to treat passengers,
reason why flight is cancelled should be given to passengers,
Alitalia should comply with EU passenger rights, Alitalia staff
should stay with passengers till their complaints are answered
Baggage should be returned to passengers on cancelled flights.
Should receive the worst ever National airlines award of all time.
Will never ever use Alitalia, inform friends never to use your
Airline, will make my highest efforts to make my views known on
newspapers and travel websites.EU should and other countries should
not let Alitalia fly to their destination till Alitalia basic
airline rules are met. Alitalia is a disgrace to Italy and giving
Italy and Italians a very bad reputation.