French air traffic controllers are staging a 48-hour strike on 3-4 July 2025. The walkout by the UNSA-ICNA union, France’s second-largest air traffic controllers’ union, coincides with the start of French school holidays and a peak period for business events.
When is the strike? The strike will run from 6am on Thursday, 3 July, until 6am on Saturday, 5 July.
Widespread flight cancellations expected The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) has warned that 25% of Paris flights will be cancelled, while 50% of flights in Nice, Bastia and Calvi face cancellation. Additional airports including Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Ajaccio and Figari will see 30% of flights grounded.
Root causes behind the strike The UNSA-ICNA union cites “toxic management” and “failure in project management” within France’s air traffic control system. Controllers are demanding increased staffing levels, pay rises and improved working conditions.
Ryanair reports that more than 15,000 flights have been delayed in 2025 due to French air traffic control issues, affecting an estimated 2.8m passengers. The mounting pressure has pushed unions to target the peak travel period for maximum impact.
What organisers should know Airlines are already adjusting schedules and warning passengers to monitor bookings closely. Air France says it will protect long-haul connections but scrap many short-haul sectors, rerouting passengers onto trains where possible.
Conference organisers may benefit from preparing contingency plans including virtual attendance options, delayed start times and flexible cancellation policies. Under EU regulations, passengers affected by strikes aren’t automatically entitled to compensation. However, airlines are required to provide rebooking, refunds and care assistance.
The disruption may extend beyond the strike dates. Knock-on delays and crew displacement could spill into 5-6 July.
