British tourists planning to visit a popular European destination are likely to face travel chaos as a major strike action by air traffic controllers will take place this Thursday and Friday (July 3 and 4), prompting the cancellation of several flights. France’s DGAC confirmed it would scale back airport capacity across the country.
France’s Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) has requested that airlines cancel up to 50% of flights to and from Nice—the country’s third-largest airport—as well as Bastia and Calvi airports in Corsica for tomorrow’s first day of action. The DGAC also requested the cancellation of 25% of flights at Paris’ main airports—Charles de Gaulle/Roissy and Orly—as well as at the nearby budget hub, Paris Beauvais.
About 30% of flights at Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Ajaccio, and Figari will also be cancelled, reports The Connexion.
The SNCTA union, which is by far the largest in the sector as it represents around 60% of workers, has confirmed that it did not ask members to strike on July 3 and 4.
“DGAC recognises the difficulties associated with chronic understaffing, which affects the quality of service provided to airlines.
“It is precisely to remedy this that it is advocating an ambitious recruitment plan, part of a multi-year strategy, to ensure an efficient and secure service,” the DGAC said last week.
The authority “deeply regrets the choice of these dates, which are the busiest days of the year due to the large number of people going on holiday during this period,” it added.
Travellers flying tomorrow or Friday are urged by the DGAC to verify their flight details with their airline in advance and review the airport’s website for live arrival and departure information.
Air traffic controllers are now required to provide 48 hours’ notice ahead of any planned strike action. This advance notice has enabled the DGAC to alert travellers to possible disruptions on Thursday, and again for Friday if necessary.
The strike, led by the UNSA-ICNA and the CGT unions representing air traffic controllers, stems from a breakdown in communication with the DGAC. The unions cite issues such as staffing shortages, a toxic working environment, and stalled projects as key concerns.
