Ryanair says flights over France must be protected from air traffic controller strikes

Budget carrier Ryanair is calling for greater protections against disruption from air traffic controller strikes in France after strike action earlier this month in the sector caused widespread chaos. 

A major strike by French airline traffic controllers on July 3 and 4 cost airlines an estimated €115 million as 3,000 flights in Europe were cancelled and over 7,000 delayed. 

Over 20% of all affected flights were operated by Ryanair. 

It has therefore reiterated calls to the EU to protect ‘overflights’ – routes going over French airspace but not landing in the country itself – from cancellations or delays during strike action. 

“It is unacceptable that flights which overfly France, and which could operate without disruption, are needlessly cancelled, simply because the European Commission won’t protect overflights,” said the airline’s CEO Micheal O’Leary. 

Up to 90% of impacted flights would have been saved from disruption if the EU Commission had stepped in, says the airline. 

“What is stopping French air traffic controllers from closing the EU skies again next week or the week after with more of these unjustified recreational strikes?” Mr O’Leary added. 

“While we recognise their right to strike, Europe’s airlines have repeatedly called on the European Union Commission to protect overflights,” he added. 

Kenton Jarvis, Chief Executive of fellow low-cost carrier easyJet, also criticised air traffic controllers, saying the movement led to ‘unacceptable difficulties for clients and airlines.”

EasyJet is estimated to have lost around €17 million due to the strikes 

French airspace is some of continent’s busiest

Air traffic controller strikes in France are known for being particularly disruptive as many EU flights go through French airspace even if not landing in the country.

This is particularly so for routes in and out of the UK, Ireland, Spain, and Italy due to the geography of the continent. Between one-fifth and one-third of all European flights go through French airspace at one point of their journey. 

This therefore requires French air traffic controllers to work with the flight for at least part of its journey.

Strikes by aAir traffic controllers impact overflights if there are not enough controllers to ensure safe passage of aircraft. 

Previously, Ryanair has petitioned the EU Commission to change rules so that domestic flights and flights into/out of France are the first to be cancelled in the event of a strike, lessening disruption to overflights.

Strike action in Italy, Greece and Spain is not permitted to disrupt overflights.

Workers ‘wanted time off’ airline says

The airline also lamented delays lasting into the weekend after the official announcement was over. 

“On Saturday and Sunday [July 5 and 6] some controllers decided to strike and others rang in sick, which resulted in two more days of cancellations,” said Ryanair’s communications director, Jade Kirwan, to UK media. 

“They were looking for some time off, so they opportunistically took that weekend. It was an absolute nightmare.” 

There has been discontent in the sector for several years in France which saw several major strikes prior to the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

Unions say a change in job description unfairly impacts controllers, and financial compensation is needed. A ‘toxic atmosphere’ has developed in the sector due to the demands of new work contracts.

They are also calling for a recruitment drive to ensure more air traffic controllers are in place to safely handle additional tasks.

This month’s strikes were the first major nationwide operation by unions since the Games last summer.