Passengers on flights to and from France have been told to check before travelling today because air traffic control workers have joined a general strike.
Ryanair has said it has cancelled ‘a small number of flights’ and Jet2 warned passengers ‘there is a possibility of disruption to flights that are due to operate within French airspace’.
Public sector workers, including French ATC staff, are on strike until 5am UK time on Friday 6 December and the French civil aviation authority, Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile (DGAC), has asked airlines to cancel some flights.
Local reports say 10% of flights at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport (pictured) have been cancelled between 6am and 12 noon today (Thursday), 25% of flights have been cancelled at Paris Orly between 6pm and midnight; 50% of flights have been cancelled at Marseille airport from 7pm to midnight and 20% of flights have been cancelled at Toulouse airport for the whole of Thursday.
Delays and flight disruption are expected throughout France today and flights passing over the country may also be affected. Knock-on disruption is expected into Friday.
The DGAC added: “Despite these preventive measures, disruption and delays are nevertheless to be expected.” It advised passengers who are able to do so to postpone their journey.
Ryanair said: “Due to the latest French ATC strike taking place Thursday 05 December, we have been forced to cancel a small number of flights to/from France and we are monitoring potential delays for all flights operating to/from and overflying France. Passengers affected by cancellations have been notified of their options via email/push and we encourage all passengers due to travel to keep an eye on the Ryanair app for the latest updates on their flight.
“Ryanair sincerely apologises to affected passengers for any inconvenience as a result of this latest French ATC strike, which is beyond Ryanair’s control.”
Jet2 said: “Whilst we are unsure of any disruption this may cause there is a possibility of disruption to flights that are due to operate within French airspace.”
It added: “For us to achieve departures as close to our published schedules, it is necessary for us to close our check-in desks and board flights in line with your flight’s scheduled departure time. Check-in will close 40 minutes before your scheduled departure, and we will board your flight on time in order to get you on your way as quickly as possible. This way, we are in a position for an immediate departure when required.
“We apologise in advance if this results in prolonged waiting times onboard the aircraft whilst waiting for clearance to depart. Our dedicated operations teams are working hard behind the scenes at our UK-based HQ to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum.”
