French air travel has been plagued by strikes in recent months, with a new wave of strikes set to hit the sector. UNSA-ICNA, the union for air traffic controllers at Paris Orly airport, has announced walkouts for next week. A previous strike by the union resulted in 70% of flights at Orly being cancelled. The strike is scheduled for 11-13 June and will affect flights in and out of Paris Orly, the second-largest Parisian airport.
The ongoing strikes are a result of airport workers protesting a new ’48-hour law’ that governs how much notice is required before they can go on strike. Other sectors, such as SNCF national railways and Paris public transport operator RATP, already are subject to this rule. The air traffic control unions are also demanding additional pay and a recruitment drive to the profession. Workers at Paris Orly are also concerned about Air France moving its operations to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, as well as feeling devalued by the French civil aviation authority DGAC.
The UNSA-ICNA union represents air traffic controllers and is the second-largest such union in France. The majority union, SNCTA, recently signed an agreement with the DGAC regarding salaries and other measures tied to the 48-hour law. Despite this, the UNSA-ICNA is proceeding with the strike at Paris Orly, with the SNCTA distancing themselves from the action. In a press release, the SNCTA emphasized that the travel disruptions have been caused by ‘minority’ unions.
Travellers planning to fly to or from Paris Orly or through French airspace next week should stay informed about updates from their airline. It is unclear if overflights, which pass through French airspace without landing or taking off in France, will be affected by the strike as well. More than 2.5 million flights pass through French airspace each year, making it a crucial hub for air traffic. The ongoing strikes have caused chaos and disruptions for passengers, with one strike day labeled as a “journée noir” by the press.
The air traffic control strikes at Paris Orly airport have been ongoing for the past 18 months, leading to significant disruptions for travellers. The strikes have been fueled by protests against the new regulations, concerns about Air France’s relocation to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, and a sense of being marginalized by the DGAC. The situation has resulted in frustration for passengers and uncertainty regarding future travel plans. The ongoing labor disputes have highlighted the challenges facing the French aviation industry and the need for resolution to ensure smooth operations for all stakeholders involved.
