Ryanair launched fresh criticism of the French authorities and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, today, Wednesday 16 July, on the occasion of yet another strike by French air traffic controllers (ATC). The company speaks of an “entertainment” strike, which is unfairly disrupting the travel plans of 30,000 passengers, most of whom are not traveling to or from France, but are transiting through French airspace.
According to Ryanair, almost 20% of flights within the EU fly over France, as a result of which any disruption in the operation of French ATC would have wider implications for the entire European airspace. Despite this, France has not established minimum protection services for overflights during strikes, as is the case in other European countries such as Greece, Italy and Spain.
Cancellations at European level due to France
Ryanair recalls that earlier this month, on 3 and 4 July, similar protests in France caused the cancellation of 1,500 flights, affecting the plans of more than 270,000 European citizens and their families. According to the company’s estimates, 90% of these cancellations could have been avoided if France had protected overflights.
In a statement today, Ryanair said: “It is unacceptable that less than two weeks after the mass cancellations, another 30,000 passengers are being forced to change their plans due to yet another ‘entertainment’ strike by French ATC.”
Attack on von der Leyen
In particularly aggressive language, Ryanair is calling on the European Commission president to take immediate action to reform the European air traffic control system, which it describes as “failed.” Using the ironic nickname “Ursula von Derlayed-Again” (referring to the English word delayed), Ryanair is calling on von der Leyen to protect the single European air transport market by ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the upper airspace over France.
“Ursula von “Derlayed-Again” has a duty to protect the single market for air transport and keep France’s upper airspace open so that passengers not travelling to/from France can continue their journeys during these repeated strikes,” the statement said. “She must now take action to reform Europe’s failing ATC system – or else resign and let someone better do the job.”
A chronic problem
The issue of strikes by French air traffic controllers is not new, but its consequences have intensified in recent years, as air travel has recovered after the pandemic. The protests are usually wage-related or work-related, but because of France’s geographical location, the impact has a pan-European dimension.
Ryanair, along with other airlines, have repeatedly called on the European Union to intervene, introducing regulations to ensure the smooth operation of overflights even during national strikes. The lack of a coordinated European policy on the matter allows national strikes to disrupt the entire EU airspace.
