Rome, Feb 23 .- The Italian airline Alitalia on Thursday prepared for a 24-hour strike that was to leave at least 60 percent of its flights grounded.

The strike was to affect most flights, both national and international, within the 24 hour period, though some unions instructed their workers to operate at peak travel times _ between 7 am and 10 am and from 6 pm to 9 pm local time.

Other unions were to strike for four hours, between 2 pm and 6 pm local time.

"The airline has immediately taken special measures to minimize inconvenience to its customers, by rebooking as many of the passengers affected by cancellations as possible on the first available flights," said the airline, adding that passengers also had the option to receive a refund at no extra charge.

Another 34 flights are to be canceled Friday.

To reduce the affects of the strike, Alitalia sent more than 9,000 emails and text messages to passengers and increased its customer service department by 40 percent.

In a statement released Tuesday, transport union Uiltrasporti said the strike was in response to the airline's unsustainable approach to staff management and industrial relations, as well as delays in the specification of their business plan.

Alitalia has had serious financial problems in the last decade, and almost declared itself bankrupt in 2009.

The airline's new budget plan could result in lower wages and a series of layoffs as it struggles to reduce its losses. (EFE)