Alitalia cancels 60 flights due to wildcat strikes

Renegade pilots, flight attendants protest plan to privatize state-run airline

updated 11:54 a.m. ET Nov. 14, 2008

ROME - Italian airport officials say about 60 flights have been canceled due to ongoing wildcat strikes.

Renegade Alitalia pilots and flight attendants are in their fifth day of strikes to protest a deal to privatize the state-run airline and relaunch it as a leaner, more efficient carrier. Under the action, workers are strictly applying job rules strictly, causing delays.

Officials at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci airport said 60 flights have been canceled so far Friday. Officials at Milan's airports did not immediately have information on cancellations.

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The European Union has approved a deal by Italian investors to take over some Alitalia assets.

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