Summer of discontent intensifies for European air travellers
The air-traffic staff, who control the busiest skies in Europe, are unhappy about proposed changes to working conditions and retirement
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.For British travellers to Europe, the summer of discontent acquires a new dimension on Tuesday when French air-traffic controllers join Air France pilots in going on strike.
The air-traffic staff, who control the busiest skies in Europe, are unhappy about proposed changes to working conditions and retirement. This is their 50th strike in the past seven years, and once again it has grounded hundreds of flights - many of them flying over France, rather than to or from the country.
British Airways has cancelled four flights on each of its routes between London and Nice, Barcelona and Madrid, as well as flights to and from Paris, Geneva, Milan, Rome, Venice and Zurich. The airline said: “This strike will be the ninth day of industrial action in the past three months by French air traffic controllers.”
Ryanair has cancelled 40 flights, including links from Luton to Beziers and Stansted to Carcassonne.
At Gatwick airport, easyJet’s operations on Monday continued to be disrupted by Sunday’s closure of the main runway because of a pothole. The airline also made a number of cancellations because of “air-traffic control restrictions … as a result of the weather disruption”.
Air France passengers faced delays and cancellations not just from the air-traffic control strike but also the continuing pilots’ strike. The airline said: “We plan to operate around 85 per cent of our long haul flights, around 80 per cent of our domestic flights, and around 75 per cent of our medium-haul flights to and from Paris CDG.”
Both strikes are due to end on Tuesday, but Air France warned disruption will continue into Wednesday “due to legal and operational constraints”.
Also on Tuesday, flights operated by SAS with Swedish pilots will be cancelled due to a continuing pilots’ strike. Once again the airline will cancel around 240 flights, affecting 25,000 passengers. Flights operated by crews based in Denmark and Norway are unaffected.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments