Number of French ATC strikes this year surpasses the whole of 2017
Airline group A4E says French air traffic control strike days for 2018 are up 300% year-on-year, with the number of industrial action days for this year already higher than the whole of 2017.
BA, easyJet, Ryanair and other UK airlines have been forced to cancel flights today because of the latest strike by French air traffic controllers, which is part of a day of wider industrial action across the country.
A4E said: "Among A4E airlines, over 500 flights have already been cancelled today, affecting some 70,000 passengers and cargo. Delays are severe (mostly en-route).
"In addition, there has been a 300% increase in air traffic control strikes in France compared with the same period last year.
"Just five months into 2018, we are on track to see more ATC strikes in France than we’ve had in the entire last year, or 14 days."
In 2017, ATC workers called 13 days of French industrial action: five in March, four in September, one in October and three in November.
This year, they have already held three strike days in March, four in April, five so far in May – including today – plus two more at the weekend, Saturday and Sunday May 26-27.
AEU added: "Already ATC strikes in 2018 have impacted over half a million travellers through cancellations alone – the majority of them without the possibility of being notified in advance."
However, as the group represents 70% of the EU market, it points out the total impact of strikes is higher.
Since 2010 there have been 275 Air Traffic Control strikes in France alone, representing nearly two-thirds of all ATC strikes in Europe.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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