Expect severe disruption if you’re going to France, Greece, Spain or Ireland – as well as other destinations
easyJet and Air France have cancelled 187 flights between them and French regional airline Air France Hop (HOP!) has another 60 flights cancelled because of major industrial action in France. Ryanair said it has been forced to cancel more than 170 flights because of French air traffic control strikes.
The Irish carrier said the cancellations on Thursday and Friday will affect flights to and from France, and also flights over the country to destinations such as the UK, Greece, Spain and Ireland.
A walkout by French air traffic controllers today and tomorrow could mean chaos at many French airports and further afield. Disruption for passengers could be widespread, with airports in Paris and the south of the country worst affected.
The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) has asked for a reduction in airport capacity across the country, meaning airlines will have to cancel flights. It comes on the eve of the school summer holidays in France, when air traffic peaks. These dates are some of the busiest of the year, according to DGAC, as many head off on their summer break.
DGAC tells airlines how many flights need to be cancelled during strikes, then they have to decide which ones they axe. On Thursday 3 July, over half of all flights to and from Nice airport will be cancelled. More than half at Bastia and Calvi airports on the French island of Corsica will also need to be cancelled by airlines.
At Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Ajaccio and Figari, DGAC has asked airlines to reduce flights by 30 per cent. And 25 per cent of flights to and from Paris’s airports – Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, Paris Beauvais – will also be cancelled.
“Despite these preventative measures, disturbances and significant delays are to be expected at all French airports,” DGAC said. It added that passengers should check the status of their journey with their airline before leaving for the airport and change their travel dates if they are able to.
Though the walkout will continue on Friday 4 July, only one of the two unions is taking part, meaning less disruption. The strikes could also impact ‘overflights’ or those which travel through French airspace. This may mean aircraft have to be rerouted around France, leading to delays. Flights to and from Belgium, Portugal, Spain and Morocco have been among the worst affected during previous ATC actions in France.
Ivaylo Danailov, CEO of airline compensation specialists SkyRefund, said: “If your flight is affected by the French air traffic controller strike, your rights as a passenger will depend on several factors including where you are flying from, your airline, and the reason for the disruption.
“You are protected under EU Regulation 261/2004 if you are flying from any EU airport (including France), regardless of airline nationality, and if you are flying into the EU with an EU-based airline (e.g. Air France, KLM, Lufthansa).
“If Your Flight Is Cancelled, you have the right to reimbursement or rebooking – a full refund within seven days for unused parts of your ticket or an alternative flight to your final destination, as soon as possible, or on a date you choose. This applies even if the cancellation was due to a strike.
“While waiting for your rebooked flight, the airline must provide meals and refreshments, hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required, transport between the airport and accommodation, and two free communications. Financial compensation depends on the reason for the cancellation. If the cancellation was caused by the ATC strike, passengers may not be entitled to compensation because air traffic control strikes are generally considered an “extraordinary circumstance” beyond the airline’s control. In that case, you won’t receive compensation (which normally ranges from €250 to €600) but you are still entitled to rebooking or a refund and duty of care.
“If your flight operates but with long delays (2–5+ hours), you are entitled to meals and refreshments after 2 hours (for flights of less than 1500 km); 3 hours (for flights between 1500 and 3500 km), and 4 hours for long-haul flights
“Our advice is to contact your airline immediately to confirm flight status and rebooking options; ask for assistance at the airport (especially for food or accommodation); keep all receipts if you incur extra expenses and if you booked through a travel agent or aggregator, contact them too. It’s also worth checking your travel insurance as some policies cover strike-related costs.”