Chaos at Pisa Airport: unions raise alarm as near-brawl breaks out amid long queues

Dozens of travelers missed their flights and tempers flared at Pisa’s Galileo Galilei Airport in these days, as passengers faced long queues and delays at security checkpoints. Local newspapers reported a near-brawl among those who were unable to board, quickly stopped by police officers.

Unions say the chaos, which has become increasingly common since September, stems from severe staff shortages and disorganization following a change in the contractor responsible for airport security checks. According to Filcams-Cgil, workers receive their shifts only one day in advance, and queues now “regularly stretch outside the terminal.”

The latest disruption hit early flights, including the Ryanair connection to Catania, which departed late and with many empty seats. “The situation is no longer tolerable,” unions said, calling for urgent action to fix what they describe as “structural inefficiencies” affecting both staff and passengers.

A meeting between the airport’s management company and trade unions is scheduled for October 23, but without progress, further strikes and protests are expected.

Union leaders have also warned of similar problems in Florence, managed by the same airport operator. Earlier this year, ground staff at the Amerigo Vespucci Airport staged a series of strikes over precarious contracts, unpredictable shifts, and alleged breaches of national labor agreements.

The current crisis has deep roots. In 2021, the company that manages both Tuscan airports—controlled by Toscana Aeroporti —sold its in-house handling division to a private operator. At the time, unions warned that the sale could lead to job insecurity and the loss of benefits negotiated locally over decades. They also raised concerns about possible conflicts with EU competition rules.

Four years later, those warnings appear justified. Chronic understaffing, disorganization, and rising pressure on employees are now spilling over into passenger experience, culminating in yesterday’s scenes of chaos at Pisa Airport.

As air traffic continues to grow across Tuscany, unions are urging the region and Toscana Aeroporti to intervene before the situation worsens, saying the efficiency and reputation of the region’s two main airports are now at stake.

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