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Euronews
2 days ago
- Euronews
French air traffic controller strikes threaten summer holiday chaos
French air traffic controllers are threatening to strike as the summer holiday season begins for millions across Europe. The UNSA-ICNA union - the second largest union for air traffic controllers in France - has filed a strike motion for the 3 and 4 July. They have cited 'toxic' and 'authoritarian' management as one of the reasons for the walkout. The union is calling for increased staffing levels and a pay rise. A meeting on Wednesday this week with the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) failed to prevent the strikes. The third-largest ATC union, USAC-CGT, also issued a strike notice this week for 3 July. The largest union representing French air traffic controllers, SNCTA, has indicated that it isn't calling for a strike. What impact will the strikes have on summer holiday flights? A walkout by air traffic controllers would likely cause delays and cancellations across many French airports. The strike comes on the eve of the school summer holiday in France, which is due to begin on 4 July (or 5 July for those who have Saturday classes), when air traffic peaks. These dates are some of the busiest of the year, according to DGAC, as many head off on their summer break. With both unions striking on Thursday, there is likely to be a worse impact than on Friday. The walkout could also impact 'overflights' or those which travel through French airspace. This may mean aircraft have to be rerouted around France, leading to delays. Flights to and from Belgium, Portugal, Spain and Morocco have been among the worst affected during previous ATC actions in France. The DGAC has said it will announce in the days leading up to the strikes how many flights will need to be cancelled. It will then be up to airlines which services they choose to axe. Air traffic controllers have been in an ongoing battle with the DGAC for years, but this is their first strike since 2024. There was an 'Olympic truce' last year, which saw industrial action paused during the games. In 2023, air traffic controller strikes led to major disruption in France with tens of thousands of cancellations, delays and widespread travel chaos. More than 10 million passengers were impacted by French walkouts between March and April, according to data from Eurocontrol. A new law was brought in to reduce disruption, which requires air traffic controllers who are planning to strike to inform their bosses at least 48 hours in advance. It is intended to give employers enough time to draw up temporary timetables based on the number of staff who will be working. A similar rule was already in place for employees of the SNCF national railways and the Paris public transport operator RATP.
Local France
6 days ago
- Local France
French air traffic controllers call summer strike
The UNSA-ICNA union, which is the second largest union representing French air traffic controllers, has filed a strike notice covering Thursday, July 3rd and Friday, July 4th. The union said it was protesting against what it described as a toxic management culture and is calling for "a change of course to reinforce staffing levels, bring technical modernisation projects to fruition, and put operational priorities back at the heart of decision-making". The strike has been called for the beginning of the peak summer season for airlines, with French schools breaking up for the holidays on July 4th this year (or July 5th for those that have Saturday classes). Advertisement It is not yet clear how much disruption the strike action will cause, but it is likely to have at least some effect on flights coming to and from France, and those passing over France. So called 'over flights', which pass over France on their way to another country, may end up being re-routed around France, causing delays. France's civil aviation authority the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile will announce in the days leading up to the strike how many flights will need to be cancelled, and then it is up to airlines to decide which ones to axe. Airlines normally try and prioritise long-haul flights and concentrate disruption on short-haul services. Anyone with a flight booked on those days should check with their airline.
