Ryanair boss warns 100,000 passengers could be affected by French air traffic controllers strike

French air traffic controllers strike will affect overflights — flights using French airspace. File picture

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has warned up to 100,000 passengers could be affected next week as flights could be curtailed due to a French air traffic control strike.

After facing 35 flight cancellations on Thursday over the industrial action, Mr O’Leary said worse disruption is to come with the latest strike set to run from October 7-10.

“On any given day at the moment, we operate about 3,500 flights, and about 900 of those flights cross over French airspace and about two thirds of those, around 600 flights, are cancelled every day there's an air traffic control strike,” Mr O’Leary told Sky News.

The largest air traffic control union in France, SCNTA, has called a three-day strike next week as it pushes for better pay and working conditions for its members, following similar action during the summer. 

While flights to and from France will be affected, it will also affect overflights — flights using French airspace — according to the Ryanair Group chief executive.

He said Ryanair expected to be asked to cancel 600 flights as the strikes begin next week, with almost all of them overflights.

“That's about 100,000 passengers who will have their flights cancelled needlessly next Wednesday and Thursday,” he said.

He said steps should be taken to ensure overflights are protected when strikes take place.

“It wouldn't stop the French striking, they have the right to strike and we accept that, but they should be cancelling local French fights, not flights from the UK to Spain or from Italy to Ireland. This is a fundamental breach of the single market."

Mr O’Leary also repeated criticism of European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, who he said should take action to prevent flights being cancelled.

However, while it is expected to cause disruption, the full impacts of the industrial action will not be known until next week as airlines adjust their schedules.