Italian airport unions dispute development plans amid new routes and labor protests

The Aeroporto delle Marche announced the opening of a new Volotea operational base, a move intended to boost regional connectivity, tourism and export‑oriented industry. The transport union Uiltrasporti Marche criticised the arrangement, claiming Volotea is bypassing sector‑wide collective bargaining agreements and undermining workers’ rights. The union warned that the dispute could lead to strike actions starting in September.

In Friuli Venezia Giulia, the national UIL union and its transport branch Uiltrasporti expressed support for the recently approved National Airport Plan, urging that the strategy be translated into concrete investments and job‑quality improvements. Union leaders Matteo Zorn and Patrizia Zambon called for coordinated airport development that respects contractual standards and safeguards employee health and safety.

Both statements underline a broader tension in Italy between expanding airport infrastructure to enhance economic competitiveness and ensuring that labour protections are maintained.