A recent news report stated that travel plans for almost tens of thousands of passengers would be disrupted as a strike by French air traffic controllers led to the cancellation of around 40 percent of flights at Paris airports on Friday. This action began on Thursday, intensified into the weekend, causing extensive disruption at its height during the summer travel season. The strike occurred when French air traffic controllers demanded improved working conditions.
Meanwhile, the French civil aviation authority issues a direct order asking airlines to cancel 40% of their flights on Friday at Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais airports. However, the cancellations extended to 50% of scheduled flights in Nice and 30% in Marseille, Lyon, and other cities across the country.
Ryanair Grounds Flights as French Strike Exposes Cracks in Air Traffic System
Although the cancellations are proactive, authorities warned passengers to expect delays and disruptions at all airports in France. Ryanair was among the airlines that announced widespread disruptions, cancelling more than 400 flights, affecting 70,000 passengers. The air carrier ensures that strikes affect all its flights over French airspace, including the traffic in and out of French airports, urging the European Union to reform air traffic rules.
However, one of the two unions leading the strike—UNSA-ICNA, as per the statement, does not have enough employees to handle surging air travel. The unions also ensure that they protest new reform measures that aim to be tightly monitored at work. It’s all prompted by a near-collision at the Bordeaux airport.
Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot called the union demands — and their decision to strike just as French schools close for the summer and many families head on vacation “unacceptable”.
