Hundreds of flights cancelled as French air traffic control strikes

A FRENCH air traffic control union has gone on a four-day strike, starting Monday (6 March) causing hundreds of flight cancellations.

The strike, called by the UNSA union, will affect an estimated 25 per cent of flights going through Southern France and 33 per cent of Western France, according to the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC).

Ryanair alone was forced to cancel 45 flights, but the airline’s marketing director, Kenny Jacobs told media outlets: “We call on the French Government and European Commission to take immediate action to prevent thousands of European consumers from having their travel plans disrupted by a tiny group of ATC unions going on strike.”

The strikes – at Brest, Bordeaux and Aix-en-Provence airports – are due to disputes over working hours and conditions throughout the country.

Nice and Marseille airports are expected to join the protests on Tuesday (March 7) which will continue to Friday (March 9).

Passengers are not entitled to cash compensations for delays, but airlines must provide accommodation to disrupted travellers and re-book them on the first available flight if necessary.