French Air Traffic Control strike causes new travel disruption across Europe

Air travellers in Europe have been facing delays and cancellations because of strike action by French air traffic controllers. The strike is part of a wider national protest by public servants in France against President Emmanuel Macron’s policies on working hours and conditions. British Airways, Ryanair and Easyjet all announced flight cancellations and airlines have been instructed to reduce flights to affected airports. Hundreds of flights overflying France are expected to be cancelled or delayed in the coming days and the action is scheduled to continue until 10 May, with likely knock-on affects. Representatives from France’s air traffic control agency DSNA said that Paris Orly, Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse airports are likely to be most affected, with airlines have been instructed to reduce the number of flights going to and from these airports by 30%. Switzerland has, meanwhile, freed up additional airspace to allow flights to reroute and avoid French airspace. During third-party strikes, airlines are not liable to pay compensation to customers, but they are obliged to provide meals, accommodation and alternative flights to those whose travel is disrupted.