As French air traffic controllers strike over working conditions, Ryanair has announced the cancellation of over 170 flights, impacting more than 30,000 travelers. The strike on Thursday and Friday, organized by two French unions, has resulted in significant disruptions not only in France but also across Europe, affecting flights over French airspace.
Ryanair Cancels Flights for Over 30,000 Passengers Amid French Air Traffic Control Strike
Ryanair Cancels Flights for Over 30,000 Passengers Amid French Air Traffic Control Strike
A two-day strike by French air traffic controllers has led to major flight cancellations, affecting tens of thousands of Ryanair passengers.
The budget airline Ryanair announced today that the ongoing strike by French air traffic controllers has forced them to cancel more than 170 flights, disrupting travel plans for over 30,000 passengers. The strike, which is set to last two days, has created a ripple effect across Europe, with routes to and from France heavily impacted.
The walkout was initiated by two unions protesting against poor working conditions, leading to serious congestion at major French airports. Estimates reveal around 25% of flights have been cancelled in Paris and 50% in Nice. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot criticized the timing of the strike, which coincides with the holiday season when many families are traveling.
Ryanair's Chief Executive, Michael O'Leary, expressed his frustration, suggesting the air traffic controllers were "holding European families to ransom." He urged the European Commission to take decisive action to ensure minimal service levels during such strikes, particularly impacting flights through French airspace.
As passengers face increased disruptions, France's civil aviation authority has advised airlines to reduce their flight schedules from key airports. The situation is expected to worsen on Friday, with reports of a 40% cut back on flights from Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais airports.
The UNSA-ICNA union stated that the strike was prompted by staffing shortages, management concerns, and the unpopular introduction of a clock-in system for controllers. Negotiations with the civil aviation authority earlier this week did not yield any resolutions.
In light of these disruptions, Airlines for Europe (A4E) has decried the strike as "intolerable" and raised alarms about the implications for travelers during peak holiday season. EasyJet, also affected, has expressed disappointment and called for a resolution to the ongoing issues.
Despite these cancellations, Ryanair noted that they still managed to operate over 109,000 flights in June, indicating that less than 1% of their total flights were affected by last month’s conflicts, including the current disruptions.
The walkout was initiated by two unions protesting against poor working conditions, leading to serious congestion at major French airports. Estimates reveal around 25% of flights have been cancelled in Paris and 50% in Nice. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot criticized the timing of the strike, which coincides with the holiday season when many families are traveling.
Ryanair's Chief Executive, Michael O'Leary, expressed his frustration, suggesting the air traffic controllers were "holding European families to ransom." He urged the European Commission to take decisive action to ensure minimal service levels during such strikes, particularly impacting flights through French airspace.
As passengers face increased disruptions, France's civil aviation authority has advised airlines to reduce their flight schedules from key airports. The situation is expected to worsen on Friday, with reports of a 40% cut back on flights from Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais airports.
The UNSA-ICNA union stated that the strike was prompted by staffing shortages, management concerns, and the unpopular introduction of a clock-in system for controllers. Negotiations with the civil aviation authority earlier this week did not yield any resolutions.
In light of these disruptions, Airlines for Europe (A4E) has decried the strike as "intolerable" and raised alarms about the implications for travelers during peak holiday season. EasyJet, also affected, has expressed disappointment and called for a resolution to the ongoing issues.
Despite these cancellations, Ryanair noted that they still managed to operate over 109,000 flights in June, indicating that less than 1% of their total flights were affected by last month’s conflicts, including the current disruptions.
