Paris airports brace for disruption as French air traffic controllers go on strike
French air traffic controllers to stage one-day strike risking flight cancellations at Paris airports
France's leading aviation association warns that French air traffic controllers are set to stage a one-day strike on Thursday, which could cancel most flights at the two main Paris airports. The unions called the strike after negotiations on salary increases and other measures in a planned overhaul of France's air traffic control system broke down.
The strike comes just ahead of Paris hosting the Olympic Games in late July, raising concerns over the risk of further strikes during the event, when hundreds of thousands of extra visitors are expected.
The central air traffic union has also warned that if its demands are not met, it could order several days of strike action over the busy May holiday weekend.
The head of FNAM, an umbrella group of French aviation industry unions, Pascal de Izaguirre, said that the strike would be "very strongly followed" and that 75 percent of flights could be canceled at Paris Orly airport and 65 percent at Charles de Gaulle, the capital's main airport. Airlines have already been forced to cancel 65 percent of flights in the southern city of Marseille.
The air traffic control reforms aim to improve productivity, but unions believe higher salaries should accompany the changes. The central air traffic union, the SNCTA, has also issued notice it could strike for three days, from Thursday, May 9, to Saturday, May 11. This could cause inconvenience for many people's holiday plans, with May 9 being a public holiday and May 10 traditionally used as a "point" (bridge) to make a long weekend.
The strike is expected to impact travel, with officials warning of "major delays significantly." The DGAC aviation authority has also instructed airlines to cut 60 per cent of flights at the Toulouse and Nice airports and 50 per cent at other regional airports. Passengers are advised to stay abreast of the latest developments and check with their airlines for updates before travelling.