Hundreds of flights were cancelled today after the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) called its union members out to support a national strike over labour laws.

 

This has resulted in no less than 72 international services being cancelled by Ryanair, an undisclosed number at easyJet and 26 more at British Airways. Air France is also reporting disruption, along with many other carriers.

 

Thousands of British passengers are affected, along with non-aeronautical revenues at dozens of UK and French regional airports in particular. Services to other countries that are also affected include Spain, Italy, Slovakia, Portugal, Germany and Ireland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aéroports de Paris has also advised that 15% of its Orly Airport flights are cancelled, while it is also predicting several delays at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG).

 

By contrast Air France says it will still be able to operate most of its long-haul flights, although it is alerting customers that there will be some last minute delays and cancellations.

 

AIRLINES HAVE THEIR HANDS TIED…

Ryanair – the world’s biggest schedules international airline by traffic numbers – said it had been left with no choice but to cancel 72 flights and it is predicting that further services may also be impacted.

 

The airline said today: “Ryanair sincerely apologises for any inconvenience caused by these unjustified ATC disruptions which are entirely outside of our control.”

 

At the same time, easyJet said today: “We are doing everything possible to minimise the impact of the strike on our customers, and have taken the decision to proactively cancel a number of flights, allowing customers to reorganise their journeys.”