Disruption Looms as French Air Traffic Controllers Prepare to Strike

Ryanair's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, has issued a stark warning that approximately 100,000 passengers could face flight cancellations next week due to a planned strike by the French air traffic control union, Syndicat National des Contrôleurs du Trafic Aérien (SNCTA). The strike is set to take place from October 7 to October 10, 2025, and is primarily driven by disputes over pay and working conditions. O'Leary anticipates that Ryanair may be forced to cancel up to 600 flights daily, significantly impacting routes from the UK to popular destinations such as Spain, Italy, and Greece, which rely on French airspace for overflights.

The GuardianRyanair warns 100,000 passengers face cancellations amid ATC strikeSky NewsIrish Daily MirrorTravel panic: Ryanair flights to Spain to be hit by French air traffic control strike next weekEast Lothian Courier

The impending strike is expected to disrupt not only flights directly to France but also those that traverse French airspace. O'Leary noted that on any given day, Ryanair operates around 3,500 flights, with approximately 900 crossing over French airspace. He emphasized that two-thirds of these flights are typically canceled during air traffic control strikes, disproportionately affecting UK travelers due to geographic proximity to France.

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O'Leary has called for the European Union to protect overflights during such industrial actions, arguing that disrupting these flights undermines the principles of the single market. He stated, “We bloody well demand that our overflights are protected. If British citizens today going to Italy, or we have Spanish visitors wanting to come to London, they should not have their flights disrupted or cancelled.” Other airlines, including EasyJet and British Airways, are also bracing for potential disruptions, although they have yet to quantify the impact.

Ryanair warns 100,000 passengers face cancellations amid ATC strikeTravel panic: Ryanair flights to Spain to be hit by French air traffic control strike next weekEast Lothian CourierSky NewsThe Guardian

In response to the strike announcement, a spokesperson for the UK Department of Transport remarked, "Airspace is sovereign, and it is for each state to decide how best to manage their own." They acknowledged that strikes can cause disruptions but emphasized that airports have plans in place to mitigate their effects. O'Leary has encouraged affected passengers to voice their concerns to transport ministers and the European Commission through a dedicated complaints website, ATCruinedourholiday.com.

Ryanair warns 100,000 passengers face cancellations amid ATC strike

While O'Leary has accepted the right of French workers to strike, he criticized the current system that allows for overflights to be disrupted. He has previously called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take action to protect the single market from such disruptions, suggesting that Eurocontrol could manage airspace during strikes to minimize impact. Critics of the strike, including representatives from other airlines, have echoed O'Leary's concerns, highlighting the need for reforms to ensure that overflights are not affected during industrial actions.

Travel panic: Ryanair flights to Spain to be hit by French air traffic control strike next week

As the strike date approaches, passengers are advised to monitor their flight statuses closely and prepare for potential delays. Ryanair has recommended downloading airline apps for real-time updates and packing lighter to expedite check-in processes during the strike period. The full extent of the disruption will only become clear once the strike commences, but the potential for widespread cancellations looms large, echoing previous summer travel chaos caused by air traffic control strikes across Europe.

Liverpool Echo