France experiences air traffic slowdown as air traffic controllers go on strike on Thursday

Air traffic in France was slow on Thursday morning due to flight cancellations requested by airlines to cope with an air traffic controllers’ strike, despite a last-minute agreement with the main union. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation reported that only 2,250 flights were scheduled for the day, compared to nearly 5,200 the day before.

To manage available staff and traffic, French civil aviation requested companies to cancel a significant number of flights. For example, three out of four flights departing from or arriving at Paris-Orly airport were canceled, along with 55% at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport, 65% at Marseille-Provence airport, and 45% at all other mainland French airports. Lyon-Saint-Exupéry airport managed to adhere well to the cancellation rates, with long-haul flights being spared.

Despite an agreement being reached with the main union, SNCTA, other air traffic controller unions maintained their strike, causing disruptions for airlines. The delays for maintained flights were described as moderate, with Orly airport being the most affected. The strike also affected flights flying over French territory, with many passengers facing uncertainty and additional delays. The number of flights planned to fly over France decreased significantly, causing delays in the southeast of the country.

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