ROME (AP) — A general transport strike by workers in Italy demanding more investment in the sector forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights and idled trains, ships and buses across the country on Friday.
National carrier Alitalia canceled 217 national and international flights before a four-hour walkout by air sector workers beginning at 11 a.m. (5 a.m. EST). Air One, Italy's No. 2 carrier, said that only nine flights would be guaranteed.
The workers are protesting planned cuts in transport funding in the new budget as well as the declining fortunes of the main companies in the sector, starting with the money-losing Alitalia, which the Italian government is struggling to sell.
