Air traffic control strike looms in France just ahead of summer holidays
Cancellations and delays are likely
The strike falls just before the start of the school holiday period
Byjeng / Shutterstock
Air traffic controllers in France are planning to walk out en masse at the start of July, potentially bringing travel chaos to the start of summer holiday season.
A strike motion covering July 3 and 4 has been filed by the UNSA-ICNA union, the second largest representative of air traffic controllers in France.
These dates fall just before the start of school holiday season (officially beginning on July 5), and could impact those looking to travel early. Knock-on delays into the following days are also possible.
The action could result in several airports across France being affected by delays and cancellations, impacting also other flights that travel through French airspace.
Other unions may join the strike action, bringing further disruption.
Strikes in the sectors in 2023 and 2024 caused chaos for Europe’s aviation industry, and led to widespread criticism from airlines including low-cost carrier Ryanair, who spearheaded calls for changes to action in the sector at a European level.
The airline released its ‘league of delays' last year, showing disruptions caused by air traffic control strikes in various countries across Europe.
It claims nearly three million Ryanair passengers saw their journey delayed or cancelled due to action by French air traffic control staff in 2024.
Airlines usually class a strike by airport staff (including air traffic controllers) as an extraordinary circumstance, meaning compensation for delayed or cancelled flights is unlikely.
Workers must give advance warning of strike intention
The union highlighted several grievances in a press release announcing the strike, including the need for more staff numbers, better technological progress, and improved wage conditions.
Unions and the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) have been battling for several years over a change in the role of air traffic controllers, which has been the cause of major strike action in the past.
An ‘Olympic truce’ saw major strike action halted last summer when Paris held the iconic sporting event, and this is the first major announcement set to affect airports nationally since the spring of 2024 (smaller regional strikes have impacted airports on a one-off basis since).
It is currently unknown how disruptive the action will be, but UNSA-ICNA are calling on all workers to strike in their press release. The sector is known for fairly high turnout during strike action.
However, law changes from 2023 mean that air traffic controllers need to give more advanced warning over their intention to strike to allow airports to minimise disruption to passengers.
They must announce if they plan to strike at least 48 hours in advance.
