French ATC Strikes Spark Travel Chaos
Ryanair is gearing up to cancel a whopping 600 flights next week. More than 100,000 passengers will feel the pinch as French air traffic control (ATC) staff strike from October 7 to 10 over pay and working conditions.
The disruption won’t just hit France – any flights crossing French airspace are at risk. That means UK travellers heading to sunny hotspots like Spain, Italy, and Greece face cancellations too.
Michael O’Leary Sounds Alarm
Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary said “About 100,000 passengers will have their flights cancelled needlessly next Wednesday and Thursday.”
He warned the strike could cost Ryanair up to £20 million, expenses likely passed onto customers.
“On any given day, we operate 3,500 flights. Around 900 cross over French airspace. When there’s an ATC strike in France, about 600 of those flights get cancelled every day,” O’Leary revealed.
He added, “The unions have the right to strike and we accept that. But they should cancel local French flights, not UK to Spain ones.”
Other Airlines Brace for Impact
It’s not just Ryanair facing headaches. British Airways and easyJet customers could also see their plans disrupted. EasyJet says it’s “monitoring the situation” but hasn’t announced cancellations yet.
The SNCTA union claimed poor governance and harsh management have sparked the strikes. Initially scheduled for September, the stoppage was postponed but now stretches over three days in October.
Your Rights and Compensation
Flight troubles? Here’s what you should know:
- Your rights if flights are cancelled or delayed: If your flight arrives more than three hours late under UK law, you’re entitled to compensation.
- Refunds or rebooking: Airlines must offer a refund or alternative flight for journeys to or from the UK.
- Exceptions to compensation: No payout if cancellations are due to extraordinary circumstances such as extreme weather or strikes.
- Travel insurance: May cover delays of 8-12 hours, but unlikely to cover full cancellations. Always keep proof of delay.
Ryanair even launched a dedicated complaints website: ATCruinedourholiday.com for stranded flyers to air their grievances.
Strike Troubles Sweep Europe
Brits have recently faced travel chaos beyond France. A 24-hour strike shut down all public transport in Greece, including buses, taxis, and flights just this week.
Originally published on UKNIP