Airlines operating in France have been asked to cut their schedules by 50 per cent on Friday due to a planned 24-hour strike by air traffic controllers.
DGAC, France’s civil aviation regulator, is warning of “severe” disruption to air travel as members of the SNCTA union are set to walk out from 6am on Friday until 6am on Saturday (16-17 September) in a dispute over pay and conditions.
“Flight cancellations and significant delays are to be expected,” said DGAC in a statement. “Passengers who can are invited to postpone their trips.”
Air France said it planned to operate 45 per cent of its short and medium-haul flights on Friday, as well as 90 per cent of long-haul services.
“Delays and last-minute cancellations cannot be ruled out,” warned the airline. “The flight schedule is currently being updated and customers affected by cancelled flights will be notified individually by SMS and email.”
EasyJet also warned about disruption to its flights to and from French airports on Friday.
“EasyJet expects some disruptions to its flying programme and has been requested by the DGAC to proceed to cancellations,” said the budget carrier in a statement.
Flights that pass through French airspace could also be disrupted by the strike, warned DGAC, which has requested airlines to halve their planned services on Friday.
Industrial disputes affecting transport services continue to flare up around Europe with unions trying to secure pay rises for their members as inflation soars and the cost of living crisis intensifies.