French air traffic strike cancels 40% of Paris flights

A strike by French air traffic controllers forced the cancellation of around 40% of flights at Paris airports on Friday, causing major disruption during the peak of summer holiday travel.

Tens of thousands of travellers faced delays and cancellations on Friday as French air traffic controllers went on strike, demanding better working conditions and protesting planned reforms. The strike, which began Thursday, intensified Friday, prompting France’s civil aviation authority to request that airlines cancel 40% of flights at Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais airports.

Airports in Nice, Marseille, Lyon, and other cities also faced disruption, with cancellations ranging from 30% to 50%. Authorities warned of long delays across the country despite the advance cancellations.

Ryanair was among the hardest hit, cancelling over 400 flights affecting 70,000 passengers. The airline said the strike impacted all flights passing through French airspace and called on the European Union to reform air traffic control regulations.

The UNSA-ICNA union said staffing shortages and inflation were driving the strike and raised concerns about new monitoring measures introduced after a near-collision at Bordeaux airport.

French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot condemned the timing of the strike, calling it “unacceptable,” as it coincides with the start of school holidays when many French families begin their summer travel.

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