Paris Airports Disruptions: 40% Flights Canceled Amid Strike

Paris, July 4 (AP) About 40% of flights were canceled on Friday across all Paris airports, forcing tens of thousands of passengers to adjust their travel plans at the peak of the summer season due to a strike by French air traffic controllers demanding improved working conditions.

Disruptions began affecting airports throughout France on Thursday, escalating further by Friday.

The national civil aviation authority asked airlines to cancel 40% of flights on Friday at Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais airports serving Paris. Additionally, they requested the cancellation of half of the flights in Nice and 30% in Marseille, Lyon, and other cities.

Even with these preventive cancellations, the authority warned in a statement that disruptions and significant delays are anticipated at all French airports.

Ryanair was among the airlines facing widespread disruptions, announcing in a statement that it canceled over 400 flights affecting 70,000 passengers. The company highlighted that the strike impacts all its flights over French airspace as well as those in and out of French airports, urging the European Union to reform air traffic regulations.

One of the leading unions in the strike, UNSA-ICNA, stated there are insufficient employees to manage the surge in air travel and highlighted that inflation is reducing salaries. The unions are also protesting new reform measures aimed at more stringent work monitoring, following a near-collision at Bordeaux airport.

Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot criticized the union's demands and their decision to strike just as French schools close for the summer, stating it is unacceptable as many families plan their vacations.

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