French air traffic controllers announce September strike
Flights set to be cancelled or delayed as unions calls for controllers across France to walk out
The strike action threatens flights to and from France as well as those going through French air space
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Travel plans for thousands of people have been plunged into chaos after France’s largest air traffic control union filed a strike motion for September.
The SNCTA union confirmed it has filed a motion covering the period from the morning of Thursday September 18 to the end of Friday September 19.
The announcement comes after a breakdown in social dialogue, said the union in a press release on its website.
Fellow unions in the sector UNSA-ICNA and USAC-CGT have not confirmed whether they will join the action.
Controllers at all airports across France are being urged to join the strike, which also covers traffic control agents at Paris Charles-de-Gaulle airport.
Many flights both to and from French airports are expected to be affected, as will those that fly through French air space, including routes from the UK, Spain, and Italy due to France’s central position in Europe.
Exact details of the expected level of disruption are not yet available, but will be relayed two days in advance by France’s Civil Aviation Authority.
If scheduled to fly during the strike period, it is advised to keep in contact with your airline.
Demands over wage increases and new management practices
The SNCTA is the largest union in the sector, with around 60% of air traffic controllers covered by the union.
It did not take part in the most recent disruption in July – a strike backed by the UNSA-ICNA and USAC-CGT unions – which saw thousands of flights cancelled.
Following the disruption, low-cost carrier Ryanair claimed that the strikes cost airlines over €100 million, and were partially driven by a desire to have extra time off.
The SNCTA did not join July’s strikes, stating that it “favoured social dialogue” but appears to have exhausted this method.
“For several years now, air traffic control governance has been characterised by mistrust, punitive practices and degrading management methods,” it said.
“It is clear that this fruitless dialogue is now blocking any prospect of progress and reform,” it added.
It is expected that September’s disruption will be greater than in July due to the relative size of the SNCTA, even if the other unions do not join.
The union is calling for wages to be adjusted for inflation, as well as a “profound change in the management of operations,” from France’s Civil Aviation Authority.
