Groups of airport staff are striking on Friday to pressure the government into avoiding job losses while transitioning between Alitalia and ITA.
The protesters sat down in the middle of the highway and blocked the road to the main airport in Rome.
Police with shields observed the road linking Fiumicino airport to the capital.
Officials said the protests compelled Alitalia and other airlines to cancel over 130 flights.
The protesters brought a fake coffin wrapped with European flags on a truck and put it in front of the airport.
The move was to show discontent against EU restrictions on hiring Alitalia workers by ITA.
The negotiations between Italia Trasporto Aereo (ITA) and the workers are currently at a halt.
However, the new company will operate and replace the old carrier as of October 15.
Worker unions said that ITA will immediately re-hire only 2,800 out of 11,000 Alitalia employees.
Moreover, the ITA offers a contract that is less generous than the one of Alitalia.
“The government has so far been silent in this negotiation. It is essential to safeguard jobs,” the Unions said.
Initially, ITA will launch a 52-plane fleet; seven of the aircraft are wide-body planes for long routes.
Specialists expect the number to increase gradually to 105 planes in 2025.
ITA will employ around 2750-2950 Alitalia workers in its aviation unit this year.
The numbers are expected to rise to 5,550-5,700 by 2025.
Furthermore, ITA will hire over 4,000 workers in handling and maintenance units.
