Ryanair Warns of Mass Flight Cancellations Due to French Air Traffic Control Strike
DUBLIN, Ireland – Ryanair anticipates cancelling up to 600 flights daily between October 7th and 10th, possibly impacting 100,000 passengers, due to a planned strike by French air traffic controllers. the industrial action, organized by the SNCTA union, threatens widespread disruption not only to flights to and from France, but also to those traversing French airspace.
The cancellations could affect routes to destinations including Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, along with direct flights to French cities like Paris, Marseille, and Toulouse. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has publicly criticized the potential impact on international travel, arguing that France should not be able to disrupt the broader European air traffic network during labor disputes.
O’Leary has appealed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to revise EU regulations, stating, “Ther can be no situation in the EU where we have a common market and we always close the common market when the French strike.” he suggests that Eurocontrol, the institution overseeing European air traffic management, should be empowered to manage flights over France during such strikes.
The scale of the strike’s impact remains dependent on union participation levels, but Ryanair is preparing for a significant disruption to its schedule. Passengers are advised to check the airline’s website for updates on their flight status.