Air traffic strike causes mass flight cancellations in France
Hundreds of flights have already been canceled, affecting over 70,000 passengers, as a major air traffic controller strike causes widespread disruption across France's
The French Transport Minister criticized the strike as "unacceptable," especially as it coincides with the start of the summer holiday season.
The air traffic controllers' strike, which began Thursday afternoon, is disrupting holiday departures for tens of thousands of travelers.
"We can't postpone."
"It's incredibly complicated. We're traveling with my three kids, plus my sister's two, and it's just so difficult! They told us to call this number. I don't know if you can imagine trying to talk on the phone when kids are jumping on benches, bothering people, pushing luggage carts, making a mess – it's simply impossible in an airport setting."
"I just don't want my vacation to be ruined, that's all. I'm really disappointed."
In total, 25% of flights were canceled Thursday at Paris's Charles-de-Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais airports. By today, that number is expected to rise to over 40%. Airports in the south of the country are also affected, with 30% cancellations in Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, and Ajaccio, and up to 50% of flights canceled at Bastia, Calvi, and Nice.
According to transportation experts, the stalemate could last.
"If the situation isn't handled effectively, as has been the case for several years, the strike will continue, and we risk entering what's called a labor dispute," noted Maria Lee, a transportation specialist.
Several airlines and the French Transport Minister have called the situation "unacceptable." Ryanair has already canceled over 400 flights, impacting 70,000 passengers, and has called on the European Union for reforms in air traffic management.
Unions are demanding more staff and inflation-adjusted wages. They are also rejecting a reform that would impose stricter monitoring following an incident in Bordeaux. The core issue is the introduction of a badge system for entering control towers, which would make their schedules less flexible.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
