Ryanair launches petition to combat ATC strikes
Ryanair has launched an EU wide online petition to prevent flights being disrupted by air traffic control strikes on the eve of the latest proposed walkout by workers in France.
The petition, found at www.keepeuropeskiesopen.com, calls on Europe’s leaders to either outlaw strikes by air traffic controllers or to allow other European air traffic controllers to manage French air space during industrial action.
If it achieves one million signatures, the airline will present it to Brussels and urge ministers and the European Parliament to act.
According to Ryanair, French ATC unions have held 39 days of strikes since 2009, causing cancellations for millions of passengers across Europe.
French ATC have called another strike from Thursday to Saturday this week, which will result in thousands more flight cancellations.
"The last closure of French air-space on April 12 and 13 this year forced Europe’s airlines to cancel over 3,600 flights and disrupted over 500,000 consumers," said Ryanair.
Ryanair’s Kenny Jacobs said:"It’s unacceptable that Europe’s consumers repeatedly have their holiday and travel plans disrupted or cancelled by the selfish actions of ATC unions every summer, who use strikes as a first weapon rather than a last resort. French ATC unions will again stage three further days of strikes this week, which will impact hundreds of thousands of European consumers.
"It is particularly reprehensible that these strikes are taking place at the height of the peak summer season, deliberately targeting holiday makers and families.
"Today we have launched this www.keepeuropeskiesopen.com website where consumers can support our online petition calling on the European Commission and European Parliament to either remove the ATC unions’ right to strike, or allow other European ATCs to operate French or Spanish airspace during these repeated strikes.
"It’s time the Commission and Parliament took action to prevent Europe’s families and ordinary air travellers having their hard earned holidays or travel plans regularly disrupted by these ATC unions closing the skies over Europe. If the EU won’t listen to the airlines, perhaps they’ll listen to Europe’s citizens."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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