French air traffic controllers are set to strike for two days on Thursday and Friday (July 2 and 3). The strike may cause major travel chaos across Europe although Ryanair takes action to prevent ATC strikes, is now asking people to sign an online petition to support its view that the strikes should be cancelled.
The industrial action is motivated by a desire to improve salaries and working conditions. The union has several issues it is looking to have addressed including the retirement age of controllers born between 1959 and 1964 and what it calls the “gradual deterioration of conditions of air traffic controllers.”
A previous strike on 8-9 April led to 1,300 flights being cancelled and cost the industry 20 million euros, according to the French air industry federation.
Passengers are advised to monitor live flight departure and arrivals of their flights for the latest information but otherwise to continue checking in as normal.