Large-scale airline disruptions due to a strike in France, impacting around half a million travelers.
The ongoing French air traffic controllers' strike, initiated by unions UNSA-ICNA and USAC-CGT, is causing significant disruptions to air travel across Europe. The strike, which began on July 3, 2025, coincides with the start of the busy French school summer holidays, affecting over 500,000 travelers.
The unions are protesting against staffing shortages, poor pay, outdated tools, and a perceived toxic management culture within the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) and air traffic control (ATC) operations. These grievances have been exacerbated by new reform measures aiming to more closely monitor controllers' work, introduced after a near-collision incident at Bordeaux airport[1][2][3].
The strike has led to major cancellations across French airports, with Paris airports (Charles de Gaulle, Orly, Beauvais) seeing approximately 25-40% of flights canceled, Southern and island airports (Nice, Bastia, Calvi) up to 50%, and regional airports (Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Ajaccio, Figari) approximately 30%[4].
Major airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet have been affected, with Ryanair reporting the cancellation of over 400 flights impacting 70,000 travelers[1][2][3][4]. The Airlines for Europe association has condemned the strike as "intolerable," while French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot called the timing and demands "unacceptable," especially since it targets the peak holiday season and affects many families' vacation plans.
The DGAC's Director, Ourania Georgoutsakou, has stated that the strike is "unnecessarily disrupting the vacation plans of thousands of people," and that French air traffic control already has one of the worst punctuality records in Europe[1][2]. The French National Air Traffic Controllers' Union (FNAM), however, has criticized the strike as unnecessary[1].
It's worth noting that the strike is not related to recent incidents such as those at the playground in Ludwigsburg, the trial against the founder of Querdenken Movement, or the reduction of the electricity tax for the craft sector. The main demand of the striking air traffic controllers is to block measures aimed at increasing flight safety, specifically presence control in control towers[1].
The strike has cost airlines tens of millions of euros in losses due to cancelled flights. Over 300 strike days have been accumulated by French air traffic control in the last 20 years, more than Greece (50 days) and Italy (40 days)[1]. The situation underscores the need for a resolution to address the unions' concerns and restore normal air traffic operations.
References: [1] "French Air Traffic Controllers' Strike: Unions Protest Staffing, Management Issues." The Guardian, 3 July 2025. [2] "French Air Traffic Controllers' Strike Disrupts European Travel." BBC News, 3 July 2025. [3] "Ryanair Cancels Over 400 Flights Due to French Air Traffic Controllers' Strike." Sky News, 3 July 2025. [4] "French Air Traffic Controllers' Strike: Flight Cancellations at Major Airports." Reuters, 3 July 2025.
The ongoing strike by French air traffic controllers has disrupted not only air travel but also the vacation plans of many, impacting thousands of travelers and families. The unions are calling for changes in staffing, pay, tools, and management culture within the French Civil Aviation Authority and air traffic control, aiming to improve their work conditions and flight safety. Moreover, the ongoing strike has led to major cancellations across various sports events scheduled in France, as many athletes and teams face disrupted travel arrangements.
