A two-day strike by French air visitors controllers, organised by the UNSA-ICNA union, has thrown European air journey into chaos, with hundreds of flights cancelled and tens of hundreds of passengers affected.
The walkout, a results of failed calls for for higher working situations, continual staffing shortages and supposedly outdated tools, started on Thursday, July 3, and is ready to proceed via Friday, July 4, which is able to coincide with the beginning of the French summer season vacation season.
The French civil aviation authority has reported main disruptions at main airports, together with Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, Paris Beauvais, Good, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi, and Figari. Many airways had been instructed to chop 1 / 4 of flights to and from Paris airports and as much as 50 per cent at different main hubs like Good and Corsica’s airports. The scenario is predicted to worsen on Friday, with Paris airports dealing with 40 per cent flight cancellations and Good nonetheless with a 50 per cent discount.
Not solely France flights affected by air visitors controllers strike
Ryanair alone cancelled 170 flights over the 2 days, impacting 30,000 passengers, together with routes to the UK, Eire, Greece, and Spain. EasyJet axed 22 flights to and from the UK on Thursday, July 3 and 38 on Friday, July 4, whereas British Airways adjusted its schedule utilizing bigger plane to accommodate affected passengers the place attainable. Air France and different carriers have additionally scaled again operations.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot referred to as the strike “completely unacceptable”. He criticised the timing in the course of the busy vacation interval and stated latest wage will increase had been agreed upon to forestall disruptions in the course of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The putting unions, representing simply over 30 per cent of controllers, argue that staffing shortages and out of date expertise compromise operational security.
Can I get compensation for French air visitors controllers strike cancellations?
Passengers are suggested to test flight statuses by way of airline web sites or apps and guarantee their contact particulars are up to date for notifications. Underneath UK and EU rules, affected travellers are entitled to a full refund inside seven days or another flight, although no compensation is on the market for air visitors management strikes that are deemed “extraordinary circumstances”. Airways should additionally help with rebooking or returning passengers to their unique departure level if connecting flights are disrupted.
French air visitors management has warned of “important disturbances and delays” nationwide and urged passengers to think about suspending journey the place attainable, maintaining in thoughts the strike is ready to accentuate on Friday. Travellers throughout Europe are bracing for additional disruptions.