A nationwide air traffic control strike is causing significant travel disruption across France, with flights from Paris, Nice, Lyon and Corsica heavily affected just as the school holidays begin.
The French civil aviation authority (DGAC) has requested that airlines cancel a large number of flights departing from or arriving at major French airports. Paris-CDG, Orly and Beauvais will see 25% of flights cut, while as many as 50% are being grounded in Nice, Bastia and Calvi. Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Ajaccio and Figari are also affected, with 30% of operations suspended for Thursday 3rd July. The strike action coincides with one of the busiest weekends of the year as French families head off for the summer break beginning Saturday 5th July.
Syndicates denounce ‘toxic management’ at DGAC
The strike, called by the UNSA-ICNA union, is a protest against what it describes as “toxic management” and chronic understaffing within the DGAC. The union is also calling for renewed investment in long-stalled technical modernisation programmes. “We demand a change of direction to strengthen staffing, ensure technical modernisation goes ahead and place operational priorities back at the heart of decision-making,” UNSA-ICNA said in a statement sent to AFP.
Travellers entitled to rebooking or refund
Despite the disruption, passengers booked to travel on 3rd or 4th July are not without recourse. According to Flightright, a European air passenger rights platform, airlines are legally obliged to offer rebooking or a full refund in the event of a cancellation. If passengers opt to abandon their journey, the airline must reimburse them. Those facing significant delays are entitled to meal and drink vouchers, and, if necessary, overnight hotel accommodation and transport.
No financial compensation under EU rules
However, passengers will not be entitled to financial compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004. The regulation excludes automatic payments for flight cancellations or delays resulting from “extraordinary circumstances”, such as strikes by air traffic controllers, which are considered beyond the airline’s control. Nonetheless, travellers retain full rights to alternative travel arrangements and must be assisted during any extended waiting times.
Government holds firm amid peak travel pressure
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot has rejected the unions’ demands, describing them as “unacceptable”, particularly given the timing. The government has so far shown no willingness to negotiate, adding to the uncertainty for passengers already caught up in this high-stakes standoff during one of the busiest weeks in the French travel calendar.
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Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life