French Air Traffic Controller Strike Grounds Flights Across Europe

A two-day strike by French air traffic controllers that began Thursday is causing major flight disruptions across Europe, with thousands of travelers affected and just as the busy summer travel season begins.

France’s civil aviation authority (DGAC) asked airlines to cancel 25 percent of flights on Thursday and 40 percent on Friday, including at Charles de Gaulle—one of Europe’s busiest international hubs. 

Air traffic control unions are leading the strike, which stems from ongoing frustrations over staffing shortages, outdated equipment and deteriorating working conditions. Disruptions are also rippling through airports in Nice, Lyon, Marseille and Montpellier.

Ryanair canceled 400 flights on Thursday, affecting more than 70,000 passengers. The airline called on the European Commission to intervene, urging reforms that would ensure full staffing during peak travel hours and protect overflights from national strikes. 

British Airways and easyJet also made adjustments, with British Airways deploying larger aircraft to help accommodate displaced passengers. Airlines are calling on French officials to develop long-term solutions. But the disruption highlights broader cracks in Europe’s fragile air traffic system. 

Aviation leaders warn that the continent’s fragmented, overstretched and understaffed network is vulnerable to cascading delays, particularly during the high-pressure summer season. The mounting strain on Europe’s aviation infrastructure has not gone unnoticed by political leaders, who face growing pressure to address systemic inefficiencies and prevent recurring travel chaos. 

In comments reported by the Financial Times, easyJet CEO Kenton Jarvis urged the French government to take action to avoid the near-annual summer strikes by the country’s air traffic controllers. 

He cited Eurocontrol data showing that France is responsible for more flight delays than any other nation in Europe. Jarvis emphasized the need for long-term solutions to minimize the disruption faced by travelers and to ensure that flights passing through French airspace are protected during labor disputes.

As airlines, unions and governments trade blame, one thing is clear: this summer’s travel season is off to a turbulent start.