French air traffic control department strikes thousands of flights forced to cancel

Due to the strike by the air traffic control department, thousands of flights will be canceled in France on the 16th. Among them, Air France announced the cancellation of most of the flights on the 16th, mainly involving short-and medium-haul flights in 55%, and long-range flights will be canceled 10%. Air France meanwhile warned that it would be difficult to rule out temporary delays or even cancellations of flights. Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost airline, said the strike forced it to cancel 420 flights over France, involving 80,000 passengers.

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Due to the strike of the air traffic control department on the 16th, the French Civil Aviation Administration expects a large number of flight cancellations and delays across the country. The picture shows the aircraft on the tarmac of Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Reuters

France's National Air Traffic Control Union (SNCTA), which launched the strike, said it was launched to express its concerns about the current level of inflation and future recruitment. "CCTV News" reported that SNCTA issued a strike notice on the 16th, demanding more manpower and higher wages, saying that the current level of inflation and the future recruitment situation are worrying.

After the notice was issued, the French Civil Aviation Authority required airlines to cut 50% of the flight plans for the French mainland and overseas territories on the 16th, and warned that from 6 a.m. on the 16th to 6 a.m. on the 17th, air traffic across France will be severely disrupted. All airports in France There may be flight cancellations and serious delays, and passengers are advised to postpone their trips.

According to the latest data provided by the French Civil Aviation Authority on the 15th, a total of thousands of flights will be canceled on the 16th. Air France has announced that it will cancel about 400 of the 800 scheduled flights on the 16th, including short-and medium-haul flights in 55% and long-haul flights in 10%.

Pan Airlines (Transavia) also announced the same news, saying that it will cut its flight plan for the 16th by 50%, which will involve departure and arrival flights at all French airports, especially Paris Orly Airport. Both Air France and Pan Airlines said affected passengers would be offered a free rescheduling or full refund solution.

SNCTA expects to negotiate with the French Civil Aviation Authority on issues such as the conditions for the recruitment of controllers and higher salaries to deal with the growing inflation worldwide. According to SNCTA, there was no response from the French Civil Aviation Authority and the government, which could only be understood as "neglect and provocation against us".

In response to the strike, the French Civil Aviation Authority has preventively reduced some air traffic and maintained only a minimum of control services. The French Civil Aviation Authority expects a large number of flight cancellations and delays across the country, and advises passengers to "ask the airline in advance to find out how the flight is operating". At the same time, the French Civil Aviation Authority is also seeking cooperation with Eurocontrol (the European air travel regulator) to help the International Aviation Department bypass French airspace.