European families 'held to ransom' by French air traffic control strike, Ryanair says

Ryanair called on European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to take action to reform EU air traffic control services. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA

The Daa and Ryanair have hit out at “unfair” and “unnecessary” impacts on passengers during the busy summer holiday season, after air traffic control strikes in France curtailed flights on Thursday, with more cancellations set to follow on Friday.

In Dublin Airport, 16 flights in and out of the hub were cancelled, while Ryanair said it cancelled 170 flights across the continent over the industrial action.

Affected flights in Dublin included services to and from Paris, Biarritz, Nice, and Murcia in Spain.

Passengers who were due to fly over mainland Europe were advised to check with their airline for updates on the status of their flight.

“It is regrettable that their journeys — including many families’ hard-earned summer holidays — are being impacted by this action,” Daa said.

“Daa encourages the European Union and member states to look at reforms which would reduce the unfair and unnecessary impact of these disruptions on passengers from other countries.” 

Ryanair, meanwhile, called on European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to take action to reform EU air traffic control services.

It said the two-day strike, affecting all flights over French airspace, was impacting 30,000 passengers, with most not even flying to or from France.

“Once again, European families are held to ransom by French air traffic controllers going on strike,” its chief Michael O’Leary said, accusing the air traffic controllers of engaging in “recreational strikes”.

It is not acceptable that overflights over French airspace en route to their destination are being cancelled/delayed as a result of yet another French ATC strike. It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on EU passengers and families going on holidays.

He said Ms von der Leyen must act to ensure air traffic control services are fully staffed for the first wave of daily departures, while overflights are protected during strikes.

Mr O’Leary added: “These two splendid reforms would eliminate 90% of all ATC delays and cancellations.” 

Aer Lingus, meanwhile, said all impacted customers had been contacted directly and re-accommodated on alternative flights, or offered other options.

France's second largest air traffic controllers' union, UNSA-ICNA, said its members were striking over persistent understaffing, outdated equipment and a toxic management culture.

"The [French civil aviaition agency] is failing to modernise the tools that are essential to air traffic controllers, even though it continues to promise that all necessary resources are being made available," the union said in a statement.

"The systems are on their last legs, and the agency is constantly asking more of its staff to compensate for its difficulties."

Separately, Ryanair will now allow slightly more space for the free bag you can bring onboard and place under your seat, increasing it by an extra two inches along one side — probably enough for a few extra tee-shirts on your summer trip.