Hundreds of flights have been cancelled by Ryanair and easyJet ahead of a planned French air traffic control (ATC) strike, which is set to cause widespread disruption across European airspace this weekend.
Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline by passenger numbers, confirmed it had cancelled 170 flights, while easyJet announced 274 cancellations as France braces for another round of industrial action by air traffic controllers. The disruption will affect both direct flights to and from France and overflights that rely on French airspace, including popular routes to the UK, Spain, Ireland and Greece.
The strike, which begins Friday, is being staged in protest over staffing levels and ageing equipment, prompting French authorities to ask airlines to cut services at Paris airports by up to 40%. British Airways’ parent company IAG said it was attempting to minimise the impact by deploying larger aircraft.
The industrial action is expected to trigger widespread knock-on delays and cancellations throughout the continent, as France’s central location means its airspace is a vital corridor for flights across Europe.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary slammed the latest strike as “recreational” and again called for urgent reform by the European Union. O’Leary has long campaigned for EU-level intervention to prevent national strikes from affecting air traffic overflights, which often disrupt passengers with no direct connection to the striking country.
“Once again, European families are held to ransom by French air traffic controllers going on strike,” O’Leary said in a statement. “It is not acceptable that overflights over French airspace en route to their destination are being cancelled or delayed as a result of yet another French ATC strike. It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on EU passengers and families going on holidays.”
Ryanair is demanding that the EU ensure minimum staffing levels are in place for the early morning wave of flights each day and that overflights be protected during any national strike. According to the airline, implementing these two changes would eliminate 90% of ATC-related delays and cancellations.
“This latest round of strikes proves how vital ATC reform is,” O’Leary added. “EU citizens are entitled to expect reliable air travel, especially during peak summer holiday periods.”
Airlines and travel groups have expressed frustration at the frequency of industrial action within France’s aviation sector. French air traffic control strikes have become increasingly common in recent years, with ripple effects often impacting passengers in multiple countries.
The disruption is expected to peak on Friday and Saturday, with passengers urged to check with their airlines before travelling. Affected customers are being offered the option to rebook or claim a refund. Further strikes this summer have not been ruled out, increasing pressure on the European Commission to consider measures that would safeguard European flight corridors during industrial action.