Alitalia chief describes 24-hour strike by unions as "pure madness".

Alitalia pilots and cabin crew belonging to the ANPAC, ANPAV and USB trade unions are to strike for 24 hours on Thursday 22 September.

The strike relates to lay-offs as well as disputes regarding night shift rotas, contracts and travel concessions.

The three unions decided to proceed with the action after other air transport trade unions dropped similar plans following agreement with the company on a number of issues.

The strike has been condemned as "pure madness" by Alitalia boss, Australian Cramer Ball, who said that in addition to inconveniencing thousands of customers it would threaten the company's future development.

Ball also revealed that Alitalia is currently losing half a million euro “every single day.”