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Alitalia Cancels 40 Flights

Alitalia cancelled 40 flights on Wednesday, half of them international, because of a four-hour strike by a minority union opposed to a rescue deal for the beleagued national carrier.

Alitalia's website said 20 international flights to or from Rome were scratched ahead of the strike due to begin at 1000 GMT.

The minority union CUB Trasporti bitterly criticised the deal hammered out on Monday night to restructure the airline, saying it would reduce Alitalia to a barely more than a domestic carrier.

The draft deal was signed by delegates of the four national union confederations representing Alitalia staff with CAI, the consortium prepared to invest in a new revamped Italian airline.

Under the accord the number of workers would be cut by 3,250 to 12,500.

The government, which holds a 49.9 percent share in Alitalia has called on unions to give a verdict on the deal by Thursday afternoon! , when CAI is to hold a general meeting to take a final decision on whether to take over the airline.

Alitalia, founded in 1946, has crisis to crisis and had several restructuring plans before the latest rescue scheme.

Those planning to travel by air to or from this destination should check with their airline or travel agent immediately to reconfirm travel arrangements. If your flight has been canceled, request the next available flight. Traffic on roadways leading to airports may be considerably slower than normal. Airports are likely to become very crowded, and lines will be long. Allow a good measure of extra time to get to the airport, check in and go through security.