FRENCH AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS’ STRIKE GROUNDS HUNDREDS OF FLIGHTS, DISRUPTS EUROPEAN TRAVEL
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Agency Report
Tens of thousands of passengers across Europe faced travel chaos on Thursday as French air traffic controllers launched a two-day strike, citing chronic understaffing and toxic workplace conditions. The action, which coincides with the start of the busy summer holiday season, led to hundreds of flight cancellations in France and widespread disruptions across western Europe.
The strike, organised by the UNSA-ICNA and USAC-CGT unions, has affected major airports including Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, Nice, Lyon, and Marseille. Authorities cancelled half of all flights at Nice, France’s third-busiest airport, and a quarter of those at both Paris Orly and Charles de Gaulle. The disruption is expected to intensify on Friday, just as the school holiday exodus begins.
France’s civil aviation authority, the DGAC, ordered airlines to reduce their flight schedules to ensure minimum air traffic control coverage. By Friday, Paris airports and Beauvais will see a 40 percent reduction in flights.
Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline, cancelled 170 flights, affecting 30,000 passengers. CEO Michael O’Leary condemned the strike, saying most affected travellers were flying over French airspace, not to or from France. He urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to intervene, calling the disruption “abundantly unfair on EU passengers and families going on holidays.”
The aviation industry, represented by Airlines for Europe (A4E)—which includes major carriers like Ryanair, Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways, and EasyJet—described the walkout as “intolerable.”
Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot also criticised the unions, calling their demands “unacceptable” and warning that the strike would cost carriers “millions of euros.”
The unions are protesting against what they describe as chronic understaffing, outdated equipment, the introduction of a clock-in system, and “toxic management practices.” Only 270 controllers out of a workforce of around 1,400 reportedly joined the strike, while the sector’s largest union, SNCTA, opted not to participate.
Air France confirmed flight schedule adjustments, though its long-haul services remained unaffected. Business aviation, particularly in Nice and Le Bourget near Paris, has also been significantly impacted.
Passengers expressed mixed feelings. “Striking is a right… but it does inconvenience,” said Canadian traveller Carol Jelic. Another passenger, Eric Nouen, noted that many workers across sectors currently feel justified in taking industrial action.
With further cancellations and delays expected on Friday, travellers across Europe are bracing for continued disruptions as negotiations between the unions and French authorities remain unresolved.
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