Record-Low Number of Flights on Thursday Morning as French Air Traffic Controllers Stage Strike

A strike by air traffic controllers in France led to a significant reduction in the number of planes flying on Thursday morning. Despite a last-minute agreement with the main union, airlines requested flight cancellations to manage the situation. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation reported that only 2,250 flights were scheduled for the day, compared to the usual 5,200.

To align available staff with traffic, French civil aviation asked companies to cancel a large number of flights. The cancellation rates varied depending on the airport: three out of four flights in Paris-Orly, 55% in Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle, 65% in Marseille-Provence, and 45% in other airports in mainland France.

Although there was hope for an easing of constraints on airlines after the agreement with the main union, disruptions continued since three other air traffic controllers’ unions had maintained their strike notice. For the flights that were not canceled, delays were moderate, with Orly airport being the most affected.

The strike also had consequences on flights flying over French territory, with delays being described as light to moderate according to Eurocontrol. Airlines in Europe expressed concern about the impact on passengers and flight schedules.

Overall, the strike had a significant impact on air travel in France, leading to cancellations and delays for thousands of passengers. The situation was closely monitored by aviation authorities to ensure safety and minimize disruptions.