France Air Traffic Control Strike Continues; 1500 Flights Hit, 3 Lakh Travellers Across Europe Face Cancellations

France’s air traffic control officials are continuing their two-day strike to protest against toxic management, understaffing, and low pay. This major strike has affected over 1,500 flights and disrupted the travel plans of nearly 300,000 passengers. Here are the details. 

France Air Traffic Controllers Strike Disrupts Travel Plans

The French ATC strike is totally unjustified, causing 1000s cancelled flights designed to inflict maximum misery for holidaymakers. Even before this strike, latest @eurocontrol stats for end of June showed France responsible for 35% of delays. Completely unacceptable. 1/2

— IATA (@IATA) July 3, 2025

A major strike is underway in Europe as France’s air traffic controllers began a two-day protest yesterday. The strike is against toxic work culture and staff shortages. The air traffic controllers are also demanding better pay. Due to this, many airlines have cancelled several flights, disrupting summer plans for thousands of travellers, as reported by India Today. IATA (International Air Transport Association) also called this strike unjustified for travellers on their official X account. 

Ryanair and easyJet are among the worst affected. Ryanair had to cancel 170 flights, affecting 30,000 people, while easyJet cancelled 274. According to reports, Airlines for Europe (A4E), an industry group, condemned the strike and blamed the disruption on air traffic controllers, saying the strike had ruined summer holidays for tens of thousands across France and Europe. As per the reports, Ryanair’s CEO also criticised the strikers, saying they were holding families to ransom, and urged the EU to protect overflights during national strikes. 

Also Read:Why Did The Delhi-Bound Air India Flight Return To Hong Kong Mid-Air? Here Is What The Pilot Told ATC

What Are The Demands?

The strike, led by UNSA-ICNA and USAC-CGT (French trade union representing air traffic controllers and civil aviation workers), is mainly to demand better salaries, more hiring, and urgent upgrades to outdated equipment. In response, France’s civil aviation authority asked airlines to reduce flights by up to 50% at certain airports, causing widespread delays and cancellations across Europe.

As per Mint, Paris airports saw fewer flights on Thursday and even fewer on Friday. Nice, in southern France, lost nearly half its flights. Routes passing through French airspace, including flights to the UK, Spain, Ireland, and Greece, also faced major travel disruptions.

Also Read: As Heatwaves Scorch Europe, Is It Safe To Travel To France, Spain & Italy?

Passengers are now being advised to check airline apps and official websites for real-time updates before heading to airports. The situation remains uncertain as the strike continues into its final day.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva/anyaberkut and Canva/ structuresxx (Representative Image)