Why French air controllers called off September 18 strike and instead plan October action
Three-day stoppage will impact air travel early next month
Travellers flying on September 18 or October 7 to 9 should expect widespread delays
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France’s main air traffic controllers’ union has suspended a strike originally planned for September 18–19, but will instead hold a three-day stoppage in early October.
The Syndicat national des contrôleurs du trafic aérien (SNCTA), which represents around 70% of controllers, had filed a notice to join the national mobilisation on September 18.
However, on Friday, September 12, the union announced it would lift the notice, saying there was no government counterpart available following the appointment of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
“Given that a new prime minister has been appointed and that some time will be needed to form a government, we have no one to negotiate with to reach an agreement on our demands at ministerial level by September 18,” said SNCTA general secretary Guillaume Sintes.
The union has rescheduled its own action for October 7–9, a format that follows its usual approach of calling a single strike day before escalating to several days.
Its demands include full salary adjustments for 2024 in line with inflation, as well as reforms to the governance of the profession.
The SNCTA’s previous strike on December 17, 2024, caused significant delays at airports including Montpellier, Nimes and Perpignan, as well as the cancellation of 60% of flights to and from Lyon-Saint-Exupéry.
September 18: broader disruption still expected
Although the SNCTA has stepped back, other unions in aviation and transport are maintaining calls for strikes on September 18.
At Air France, the FO, CFDT and CGT unions have urged their members to join the mobilisation. Pilot organisations, however, are not taking part.
In the rail sector, three unions representing around 70% of staff have filed strike notices for the same day.
The former transport minister, Philippe Tabarot, warned last week that the date would “very probably be a black day” for travellers.
Smaller unions within air traffic control, notably the CGT-affiliated branch, may still choose to strike, although no confirmation has yet been made.
The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) will publish forecasts in the days before the action, advising airlines of how many flights must be cut.
Travellers are advised to monitor their airline’s communications closely if flying on September 18 or 19, with significant disruption to flights likely, despite the SNCTA stepping back.
Routes most at risk of knock-on delays include services between the UK, Spain and Italy, which regularly cross French airspace.
In addition to controllers, airline and airport workers covered by participating unions may also walk out, further complicating operations.
Stoppages by other unions in July led to nearly 3,000 cancelled flights and widespread delays across Europe.
