Widespread disruptions hit European skies as French air traffic controllers walk out
Travellers across Europe faced major disruption on Thursday as French air traffic controllers launched a two-day strike demanding urgent improvements to their working environment. The timing, just as the summer holiday season begins, has added to the chaos.
France’s civil aviation authority, the DGAC, has instructed airlines to scale back operations. Among those impacted is Paris’ Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport, one of Europe’s key air travel hubs.
Air France, the country’s flagship carrier, confirmed it had modified its flight schedule, although no specifics were given. Long-haul flights, however, are still running as planned.
Ryanair reported significant setbacks, announcing the cancellation of 170 flights over Thursday and Friday. This disruption is affecting more than 30,000 passengers.
“In addition to flights to/from France being cancelled, this strike will also affect all French overflights,” the Irish budget airline revealed.
For those flying with Ryanair, it’s also worth noting the recent changes to the airline’s cabin baggage allowance, which could affect your travel plans even further.
UNSA-ICNA, the second-largest air traffic controllers’ union in France, has voiced frustration over chronic understaffing, obsolete systems, and what it describes as a damaging workplace culture.
“The DGAC is failing to modernise the tools that are essential to air traffic controllers, even though it continues to promise that all necessary resources are being made available,” the union stated.
“The systems are on their last legs, and the (air traffic control) agency is constantly asking more of its staff to compensate for its difficulties,” it added.
Despite growing concern, Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot dismissed the union’s grievances, labelling their demands as unacceptable.
In response to the industrial action, the DGAC mandated airlines to cut a quarter of all flights in and out of Paris airports. On Friday, nearly half of the flights departing from the capital are expected to be cancelled.
Other regions are also feeling the pinch, with flight reductions between 30% and 50%. The south of France is particularly affected.
“Despite these preventative measures, disturbances and significant delays are to be expected at all French airports,” the DGAC warned, urging passengers to reschedule if possible.
Luxair Luxembourg Airlines issued a cautionary note, stating: “Additional delays and schedule changes are possible across other destinations, as air traffic rerouting and capacity constraints may cause knock-on effects throughout the network.”
As the summer travel rush intensifies, the impact of this strike is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in Europe’s aviation system.
