Travellers heading across Europe this week face major disruption as strikes by French air traffic controllers (ATC) have forced airlines to cancel hundreds of flights, with tens of thousands of passengers affected.
Airlines including easyJet, Ryanair and Air France have announced significant cancellations over a 48-hour period (3rd and 4th July), after unions representing French ATC staff called for industrial action over pay and working conditions.
According to industry estimates, around 150–200 UK flights could be impacted each day of the strike, affecting as many as 36,000 British passengers.
✈️ Airline Cancellations: Ryanair and easyJet Hit Hard
Ryanair alone has cancelled 170 flights over the two-day period, affecting more than 30,000 travellers. The airline has also warned that even flights simply crossing French airspace—on routes to destinations such as Spain, Italy and Greece—may face delays or last-minute cancellations.
Ryanair’s leadership has criticised the situation, arguing that strikes in France often disrupt the journeys of passengers travelling over French airspace to other destinations entirely.
EasyJet has also been heavily impacted, with at least 22 UK flights cancelled on 3rd July and a further 38 scheduled for cancellation on 4th July. Across Europe, the airline is cancelling over 120 flights per day on average during the strike window.
An easyJet spokesperson explained:
“As required by the French authorities (DGAC) we proactively cancelled flights in advance and contacted customers directly with options to rebook or receive a refund. While this is outside of our control, we will do all we can to minimise the impact. Long-term solutions are needed to protect customers and crew from repeated disruption.”
🗺️ Why French ATC Strikes Impact So Many Flights
Strikes by France’s ATC staff have a unique knock-on effect because of the country’s critical position in European airspace.
Even flights not landing in France often rely on overflight permissions and ATC management as they cross French territory. When ATC staff walk out, airlines are often forced to reroute planes, slow down traffic, or cancel flights entirely to avoid dangerously congested skies.
Industry analysts warn that even short delays can have severe knock-on effects for short-haul schedules. Unlike long-haul flights, which often have built-in turnaround time buffers, European short-haul schedules operate tightly. A single delay in a hub like Lyon or Marseille can cascade into further cancellations or delays hours later, even at airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester.
⚠️ Advice for Travellers During the Strikes
Travellers with upcoming flights that cross French airspace—even if the destination is not France—are being urged to check with their airline daily, not just the night before departure.
✔️ Take screenshots of all airline notifications
✔️ Keep receipts for any costs if delayed overnight
✔️ Escalate claims with your airline immediately if your flight is cancelled
Under EU regulation 261, passengers whose flights are cancelled are generally entitled to assistance (such as re-routing, meals and accommodation) even when compensation for strike-related cancellations may not apply.
🧭 Broader Travel Concerns: A Summer of Delays?
This week’s strike action is not an isolated issue. Airlines have warned of a challenging summer ahead. Ryanair, for example, has cautioned passengers to expect record levels of delays due to continued strain on Europe’s air traffic control network.
French ATC has faced repeated strikes in recent years, with unions demanding improved pay and working conditions. The current strike is being led by the UNSA-INCA and SNCTA unions, reportedly involving 60–70% of French ATC staff.
Aviation experts point out that the scale of disruption highlights the vulnerability of Europe’s highly connected airspace. As travel demand continues to surge post-pandemic, even minor disruptions can rapidly spread across the network.
✅ Final Tips for Travellers
If you’re flying this week (or any time during summer):
- Check flight status early and often. Even overflights can be affected.
- Consider travel insurance that covers delays and cancellations.
- Know your rights under EU261 for assistance and re-routing.
- Stay flexible if you can, and allow extra time for potential rebookings.
While strikes and delays are an unavoidable part of summer travel, being prepared and informed can make the experience less stressful—and ensure you’re ready to respond quickly if your plans change.
