Alitalia was hit for the first time under its new private ownership by strike action from its own staff as pressure mounted on Monday from consumer associations over its monopoly on the key Rome-Milan business route.

SDL, a small union representing ground staff and flight attendants, said its four-hour Rome protest against the relaunched airline’s recruitment policies resulted in 30 cancellations, including six international flights. It is considering a 24-hour strike next. Alitalia said only four flights were cancelled.