French air-traffic strike grounds 100,000 travellers across Europe
Hundreds of flights across Europe have been cancelled, and many more delayed, due to the latest strike by French air-traffic controllers. An estimated 100,000 passengers have had their flights grounded.
Members of the main air-traffic unions stopped work on Monday night and will continue until early on Wednesday morning, as part of a national strike against the labour reform policies of President Macron.
Airlines have been told to cut three out of 10 flights. Many others have been diverted around French airspace, extending journey times and causing additional congestion.
The biggest budget airline, Ryanair, cancelled the largest number of flights: 222, affecting about 40,000 passengers.
While the cancellations are across western Europe, UK airports are particularly badly affected. Dozens of links from Stansted, Luton, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Edinburgh to France and Spain have been axed.
The airline said: “Unfortunately, further flight delays and cancellations are likely and customers are asked to please monitor this notice which will be updated throughout the day.
“Ryanair sincerely apologises for any inconvenience caused by these unjustified ATC disruptions which are entirely outside of our control.”
Around 60 per cent of easyJet flights normally cross French airspace. The airline said: “We are doing everything possible to minimise the impact of the strike on our customers, and have taken the decision to proactively cancel a number of flights, allowing customers to reorganise their journeys.
“We will communicate to customers affected directly via SMS and Email using the details provided at the time of booking.
“The strike is also expected to impact many public services in France, including public transport. We advise all passengers to allow plenty of extra time to get to the airport and consider alternative transport options where possible.”
Flybe has cancelled 20 flights, many of them links to and from Paris Charles de Gaulle which would normally carry passengers connecting to long-haul flights. The airline said: “We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience that may be experienced through these circumstances that are entirely beyond our control.“
Air France is running its full long-haul programme, and cancelling about one in four short-haul services.
British Airways has cancelled 10 flights to and from Nice, along with eight links to Barcelona. Services to and from Switzerland, Italy and Germany are also affected.
BA said: “Yet again this will unfortunately bring another wave of unnecessary disruption for some customers travelling in Europe.” It is using larger aircraft on some flights to compensate for cancellations.
The airline is allowing anyone due to fly today to or from any French airport, as well as Madrid and Barcelona, to move their trip back to a date up to and including Thursday 12 October.
Delays are likely to build, with some flights between the UK and Spain already delayed by two hours.
Passengers whose flights are disrupted are not entitled to cash compensation, but airlines have a duty of care towards them — providing meals and accommodation until they can reach their destination.
If airlines are not able to offer an alternative departure within a reasonable time, typically two days, they must pay for flights on other carriers.
