Air traffic controllers’ strike: Paris and south of France airports to face major disruption
Half of flights in Nice and Corsica, and a quarter in Paris are cancelled on July 3. Disruption is also expected on July 4 just before the French school holidays begin
Two major unions in the sector have called on workers to strike on Thursday (July 3)
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Major strike action by air traffic controllers is set to cause widespread disruption for passengers this Thursday and Friday (July 3 and 4) after France’s Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) announced a reduction to airport capacity across the country.
The DGAC has asked airlines to cancel up to half the flights to or from Nice airport – the third largest in France – as well as Bastia and Calvi airports in Corsica for the first day of action tomorrow.
It also asked for a quarter of flights to Paris’ major Charles de Gaulle/Roissy and Orly airports and nearby low-cost hub Paris Beauvais to be cancelled, as well as around 30% of services at Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Ajaccio, and Figari.
The DGAC is asking everyone flying tomorrow or Friday to confirm the status of their journey with the airline before departing for the airport.
You can also check the online arrival/departure board on the airport’s website to see the potential impact on the day of travel.
Disruption on the second day of the strike (Friday July 4) may be less impactful, as only one of the two unions that is set to walk out on Thursday plans to continue action into the second day.
The DGAC will announce later today the percentage of flights it has asked to be cancelled at the end of the week.
Note that anyone flying in Europe over the next two days may be impacted, as the strike is expected to also affect services crossing French airspace due to the reduced number of controllers.
Even if not flying directly over France, if flying later in the day knock-on effects from a previously delayed plane may affect you.
It is unlikely you will receive any compensation for a delay or disruption, as despite plans to overhaul the system, strikes by airport workers are considered ‘extraordinary circumstances’ and airlines do not usually pay an additional amount.
Largest union did not call for action
Air traffic controllers must now give 48-hours notice of their intention to strike, which has given DGAC the opportunity to warn travellers in advance of tomorrow’s disruption, and to do so again before Friday.
The unions – UNSA-ICNA and the CGT branch for air traffic controllers – are striking over a breakdown in communications between themselves and the DGAC, citing problems in the sector including under-staffing, a toxic atmosphere, and the failure of several projects.
Recent reconciliatory meetings have been unsuccessful.
The SNCTA union, which is by far the largest in the sector as it represents around 60% of workers, has confirmed that it did not ask members to strike on July 3 and 4.
“DGAC recognises the difficulties associated with chronic understaffing, which affects the quality of service provided to airlines. It is precisely to remedy this that it is advocating an ambitious recruitment plan, part of a multi-year strategy, to ensure an efficient and secure service,” the DGAC said last week (quoted in Le Figaro).
The authority “deeply regrets the choice of these dates, which are the busiest days of the year due to the large number of people going on holiday during this period,” it added.
The strike dates were specifically chosen to coincide with the end of the school year (school holidays begin on Saturday July 5).
