Air traffic control strike in France

From Thursday 3 July until Saturday 5 July at 06:00, French air traffic controllers are on strike. The strike affects several major airports in France, and many flights that pass through French airspace will be cancelled, even if they don’t land in France.

Summer holidays begin: bad timing for a strike

Airlines like Ryanair and Transavia have already announced flight cancellations. The timing of the strike is particularly unfortunate: in many parts of Europe, the summer holidays start this weekend. That means more passengers, more flights and France is right in the middle of many flight paths.

Even if your flight does not land in France, you may still experience delays. During previous strikes, flights to and from Belgium, Spain, Portugal and Morocco were delayed because planes had to avoid French airspace.

Where flights are being cancelled

The French aviation authority has requested airlines to cancel a percentage of their scheduled flights. These are the estimated cancellation rates per airport:

• Paris airports (Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Beauvais): around 25% of flights cancelled
• Nice, Bastia and Calvi (Corsica): up to 50% of flights cancelled
• Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Ajaccio and Figari: around 30% of flights cancelled

How to know if your flight is affected

If your flight is cancelled, the airline should inform you. Haven’t received a message and unsure what’s happening? Check the website of your departure airport, or contact your airline directly.

Your rights as a passenger

This strike is not caused by the airlines, but by unrest among French airport staff. That means there is no right to compensation under Regulation 261/2004. However, airlines still have certain obligations.

If your flight is cancelled:

• You are entitled to an alternative flight or a full refund.
• If the cancellation leaves you stranded (for example, abroad and waiting to return home), the airline must take care of you, including meals, drinks, and possibly a hotel stay.

These rights apply regardless of whether you booked directly with the airline or via a third party, although getting support may be more complicated if you used a travel agent or booking platform.

Who is striking, and why?

The strike has been called by two air traffic control unions: UNSA-ICNA (the second-largest) and USAC-CGT (the third-largest). They are protesting against issues such as:

• staff shortages
• authoritarian leadership style
• lack of technical maintenance and investment

The largest union, SNCTA, which represents about 60% of French air traffic controllers, is not participating in this strike. Still, major disruption is expected due to the overall shortage of personnel.