The largest union representing air traffic control workers in France has called off tomorrow’s strike, but passengers have warned there will be major disruption and many cancellations.
The SNCTA union confirmed earlier today it had called off its strike, however, two smaller unions that represent ATC workers may still walk out.
The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) had already asked airlines to cut flights by 75% at Paris-Orly airport; by 55% at Paris Charles-De-Gaulle airport; by 65% at Marseille airport and by 45% at all other airports.
EasyJet has extended its customer service lines until midnight tonight (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday), a message on its website said. However, an easyJet spokesperson said the opening hours would be extended to 10pm.
A4E, which represents several European airlines, warned thousands of passengers had been ‘left in limbo’, despite SNCTA withdrawing notice of its strike action.
“Airlines still do not have full clarity this afternoon of what French ATC capacity will be tomorrow, meaning there will still be significant disruption for flight operations and passengers,” it said.
A4E added: “In advance of the strike, airlines had been forced to cancel more than 2,000 flights, the majority of which would have landed or departed from France. Another 1,000 flights would have had to divert away from French airspace causing further delays and disruption.”
EasyJet said: “Any customers whose flights are not able to operate by this have been notified in advance and offered the option to change their flight for free or receive a refund.
“While this is outside of our control, we would like to apologise to our customers for any disruption to their travel plans and inconvenience they may experience as a result of the strike action. To provide additional support all our customers services lines’ opening hours will be extended to 10pm.”
Ryanair has cancelled more than 300 flights across its network.
The airline said: “Even though it’s French ATC that are striking, most disrupted passengers are not flying to/from France but overfly French airspace en route to their destination (e.g., UK – Greece, Spain, Italy).”
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The SNCTA union confirmed earlier today it had called off its strike, however, two smaller unions that represent ATC workers may still walk out.
The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) had already asked airlines to cut flights by 75% at Paris-Orly airport; by 55% at Paris Charles-De-Gaulle airport; by 65% at Marseille airport and by 45% at all other airports.
EasyJet has extended its customer service lines until midnight tonight (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday), a message on its website said. However, an easyJet spokesperson said the opening hours would be extended to 10pm.
A4E, which represents several European airlines, warned thousands of passengers had been ‘left in limbo’, despite SNCTA withdrawing notice of its strike action.
“Airlines still do not have full clarity this afternoon of what French ATC capacity will be tomorrow, meaning there will still be significant disruption for flight operations and passengers,” it said.
A4E added: “In advance of the strike, airlines had been forced to cancel more than 2,000 flights, the majority of which would have landed or departed from France. Another 1,000 flights would have had to divert away from French airspace causing further delays and disruption.”
EasyJet said: “Any customers whose flights are not able to operate by this have been notified in advance and offered the option to change their flight for free or receive a refund.
“While this is outside of our control, we would like to apologise to our customers for any disruption to their travel plans and inconvenience they may experience as a result of the strike action. To provide additional support all our customers services lines’ opening hours will be extended to 10pm.”
Ryanair has cancelled more than 300 flights across its network.
The airline said: “Even though it’s French ATC that are striking, most disrupted passengers are not flying to/from France but overfly French airspace en route to their destination (e.g., UK – Greece, Spain, Italy).”
The post France’s biggest ATC union calls off strike, but major disruption still expected appeared first on Travel Gossip.
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