Air Traffic Controllers’ Strike in France Disrupts Thousands of Travelers
As the summer vacation season begins in the northern hemisphere, an air traffic controllers’ strike in France has triggered a wave of flight cancellations and delays, affecting thousands of travelers. The labor protest, which started this Thursday, is impacting major airports across the country and is expected to spread across Europe.
Strike Disrupts France’s Key Airports
The two-day strike, called by air traffic controllers’ unions, has forced the cancellation of thousands of flights, particularly in the southern region and at Paris’s main entry points. At the three major airports in the French capital, approximately 25% of flights were suspended, disrupting around 400,000 passengers daily. A similar situation unfolded in Nice, where half of all departures were canceled, along with airports in Corsica, such as Bastia and Calvi.
Airports in southern France, including Lyon, Marseille, and Montpellier, also faced mass cancellations, with operations reduced by 30%. Delays for flights that were not canceled have become commonplace. Airport authorities have warned that disruptions will worsen in the coming days, with up to 40% of flights at Paris airports potentially canceled by Friday.
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Protest’s Context: Demands for Better Working Conditions
The strike stems from air traffic controllers’ demands for improved working conditions. According to the unions leading the protest, the primary grievance is the lack of sufficient staff to ensure operational safety. They have also raised concerns about outdated technical equipment, which they argue jeopardizes flight efficiency and passenger safety.
The strike was called by the second and third-largest air traffic controllers’ unions, representing over 30% of the sector. These unions criticized an agreement reached in early 2024, which promised wage increases to avoid strikes during the Paris Olympics. Despite the agreement, minority unions deemed the improvements inadequate and continue to fight for their rights.
International Repercussions and Criticism
The strike has sparked tensions not only within France but across Europe. Airlines for Europe, an association representing major carriers like Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways, easyJet, and Ryanair, labeled the strike “unacceptable.” These airlines warned that cancellations and delays would severely disrupt vacation plans for thousands of travelers.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot called the protest “completely unacceptable,” citing its timing at the start of the school vacation period. He also noted that the striking unions represent a “minority” and criticized their demands for further pay raises after previous increases.
What Travelers Can Expect
With the strike ongoing, travelers should prepare for continued flight instability, especially at airports affected by the protest. French authorities have urged passengers to check their flight status with airlines and arrive early at airports, as delays could persist throughout the day.
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