Ryanair and EasyJet passengers face cancellations and disruption due to Italian air traffic controller strike

The four-our strike will start on Saturday afternoon

An Easyjet plane pictured mid-air (ALEXANDER KLEIN/AFP/GettyImages)

Air passengers travelling to and from the UK and Italy this weekend are facing major disruptions and scores of flight cancellations as air traffic controllers in Italy plan to go on strike.

In light of the four-hour action tomorrow, Ryanair has axed 96 flights flying to and from Italy, including four return services to the UK.

EasyJet has was also forced to cancel up to 60 flights, while other UK carriers are also likely to be affected by the action lasting from 11.30am to 3.30pm BST.

The Ryanair cancellations include Manchester-Bologna, Stansted-Ancona, Stansted-Trieste and Liverpool-Pisa.

Ryanair warned that further delays and cancellations are likely and advised passengers to check the status of their flight.

Both EasyJet and Ryanair have tweeted information out information to their customers to help them prepare for tomorrow's problems.

The strike comes at the end of the summer holiday season. Each year, over 2.5 million British nationals visit Italy every year, according to the Foreign Office.

Ryanair's Robin Kiely said: “We sincerely apologise to all passengers who have had their travel plans disrupted by these unjustified ATC strikes. ”

EasyJet said: “We are doing everything possible to minimise the impact to our customers and we are offering anyone flying to and from Italy during those times the opportunity to transfer their flight free of charge to another day to avoid the strike.

"They should go to easyJet.com to make changes to their flights."

Additional reporting by PA