Air traffic controllers in France have gone on strike, causing hundreds of flights to be cancelled at the country’s largest airports, French media reported on Thursday.
Ryanair and EasyJet have already cancelled hundreds of flights, Air France has suspended all but long-haul flights, and British Airways is rebooking passengers onto larger aircraft.
About 270 of the 1,400 air traffic controllers are participating in the strike, but even this has been enough to cause serious disruptions at airports. On Thursday, airlines cancelled up to a quarter of flights at Paris airports, half of flights in Nice, Bastia and Calvi, and a third in Lyon and Marseille. On Friday, it will be even more difficult: 40% of flights in Paris and up to 30% in other cities are expected to be cancelled.
Dispatchers are demanding more staff, updated equipment and the abolition of mandatory arrival and departure times. Civil aviation warned of long delays and advised passengers to postpone their trips if possible.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot called the striking workers’ demands unacceptable. According to him, the strike could cost France’s main airline, Air France, millions of euros, and “this burden will ultimately fall on French taxpayers.”
Travellers planning trips to France or with connections at French airports on July 3-4 should check their flight status in advance and be prepared for delays or cancellations. This applies in particular to flights to Paris, Nice and cities in the south of the country.
