France’s civil air authority announced on Thursday that it had issued a directive, mandating airlines to cancel flights to and from three airports due to an ongoing strike staged by air traffic controllers, AFP reported. The airports affected by this strike include Beauvais, which serves as the main French hub for Ryanair, an Irish carrier, and various other budget airlines. In addition to Beauvais, the strike is impacting Brest, of western France, and Carcassonne in the southern region.
On Wednesday, the DGAC (Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile) requested the cancellation of half of the flights operating from Beauvais. However, the following day, they revised their stance and called for a complete grounding of all planes. This decision was prompted by the extensive support for the strike exhibited by air traffic controller unions in Beauvais, Brest, and Carcassonne, highlighting the unified dissatisfaction with the prevailing working conditions.
The strike, mainly regarding working conditions, is a continuation of sporadic stoppages between March and May. During that period, air traffic controllers resorted to protest actions in opposition to the government’s reform of the French pension system.
Other European Destinations
As reported in late June, many European countries are currently witnessing widespread protests and labor strikes. The protests are severely impacting domestic travel and tourism sectors. Potential consequences include anticipated disruptions, such as delays and cancellations, affecting popular destinations like Spain and Italy.
The strike on Thursday did not have any impact on the major airports in France, as clarified by the DGAC. Furthermore, flights passing through French airspace were not affected either, providing some relief for airlines operating within the country.
Beauvais, located approximately 50 miles north of Paris, holds the distinction of being France’s 10th busiest airport. In 2022, the regional airport facilitated the travel of 4.6 million passengers during the year.