Paris – The ongoing strike by French air traffic controllers is set to worsen Friday, the first major day of summer holiday departures, with hundreds of flights already canceled, particularly from Parisian airports. The strike, initiated by two minority unions, is demanding improved working conditions and increased staffing levels, throwing travel plans into chaos for hundreds of thousands of passengers.
The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) announced that 933 flights were canceled Thursday, representing approximately 10% of all scheduled flights. Airports in Nice saw the highest cancellation rates (50%), followed by Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly (25%). Friday is expected to be even more challenging, with the DGAC ordering airlines to reduce their flight schedules by 40% to mitigate further disruption.
Prime Minister François Bayrou condemned the strike as "shocking," accusing the controllers of “taking French citizens hostage” by timing the action during peak travel season.
The impact extends far beyond France's borders. Airlines for Europe (A4E), the leading European airline association, estimates that 1,500 flights will be canceled across Europe on Thursday and Friday, affecting nearly 300,000 passengers. “This strike is intolerable,” stated Ourania Georgoutsakou, A4E’s Director General. “French air traffic control is already responsible for some of the worst delays in Europe, and now, the actions of a minority of French sky controllers will disrupt the holiday plans of thousands of people in France and Europe.”
The DGAC reported a 26.2% participation rate in Thursday's strike, with 272 controllers taking part. The strike was initiated by the UNSA-ICNA union (17% of the vote in the latest professional elections) and joined by the USAC-CGT (16%). The largest air traffic controller union, SNCTA (60% of the vote), did not call for a strike.
Thursday saw significant delays even for flights that were not canceled, particularly in Nice and Marseille. A4E recorded nearly 500,000 minutes of cumulative delays across Europe, as many planes navigated French airspace.
Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline, canceled 400 flights, affecting 70,000 passengers, and CEO Michael O’Leary called for EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to reform European air traffic control or resign. Air France confirmed it had adapted its flight schedule but stated its long-haul network remained unaffected.
Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot warned the strike was costing airlines “millions of euros” and reiterated the government's unwillingness to concede to the unions’ “unacceptable” demands. The strike highlights ongoing tensions surrounding a proposed reform to implement stricter attendance monitoring of controllers, following a near-collision incident at Bordeaux airport in 2022, which was attributed to a flawed work organization.
The UNSA-ICNA union cites chronic understaffing, outdated equipment, and a “toxic management” culture as key reasons for the strike. The situation remains volatile, with further disruptions expected throughout the weekend.