An air traffic control strike in France could lead to cancellations and delays for Ryanair passengers. The airline issued a warning on its website.
A spokesperson for the budget airline said: “Due to ongoing French Air Traffic Control strikes, we are expecting cancellations or delays on flights to and from France on March 27-31.
“All affected passengers will be notified as soon as possible. We advise all passengers to monitor their Ryanair App and the Ryanair website for the latest updates regarding their flight.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this French Air Traffic Control strike, which is entirely out of Ryanair’s control.
“So far in 2023, French Air Traffic Control have delayed/cancelled the flights of over 1.4 million passengers while the EU Commission does nothing to protect them.
“As a result overflights (aircraft not flying to/from France) are cancelled while domestic French flights are protected.”
The airline has also created a petition calling on the EU Commission to protect passenger flights. It is requesting that staff from other nations are allowed to manage flights over France.
At an Airlines for Europe press conference Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, said passengers could face more disruption in April.
Mr O’Leary said he had received an aviation instruction from France’s aviation authority to cut 60 flights on Thursday March 30 due to the strike.
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He said: “And then also the wonderful news that the daily French Air Traffic Control strikes will continue for the month of April. Daily.
“We are all collectively facing daily cancellations of flights that aren’t even operating to and from France, while the French protect their domestic flights.”
Mr O’Leary said Ryanair had to cancel 230 flights last weekend due to the strikes, while he said more than 2,000 flights were delayed.
easyJet’s CEO, Johan Lundgren, said that easyJet had also been “very badly hit” by the delays and said “it’s difficult to see when it’s going to end”.
Passengers should be contacted if their flight is delayed or cancelled but should also check travel updates before travelling to the airport.
British tourists who are travelling to other destinations than France could also be impacted if their journey is scheduled to fly over France.
The air traffic control strikes are just one of a series of nationwide strikes over the French Government’s plan to raise the retirement age.
Workers from many industries have taken to the streets to protest about the plans, impacting travel and key services.
British tourists are also facing strikes at British Passport Offices for five weeks during April. Britons with passports that are due to expire in the next few months should send their application as soon as possible.
The Government hasn’t changed the ten week waiting period for a new passport but could do if strikes badly impact services.
Border Force staff are also due to strike with passengers advised to use e-gates when they arrive back in the UK.
The strikes aren’t expected to have a huge impact on tourists but travellers could face longer queues at Border Control.
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