French air traffic controller strike leads to over 1,100 flight cancellations on July 4

The strike by French air traffic controllers on July 4, 2025, resulted in significant disruptions across the aviation sector, leading to the cancellation of over 1,100 flights. Approximately 40% of flights at Paris's three primary airports were affected, with regional airports experiencing similar challenges . The strike was initiated due to grievances concerning working conditions, staffing shortages, and inflation concerns among air traffic personnel . This industrial action not only inconvenienced travelers but also underscored the precarious state of labor relations within essential services.

The strike, which took place on Thursday and Friday, was over disputes between two unions and the French directorate general for civil aviation regarding understaffing and the introduction of a new biometric time clock system to monitor air traffic controllers' work attendance.

Airlines are increasingly angry over the frequent French strikes that regularly upend their schedules.

“There's no shortage of air traffic controllers in France. The real issue is that they don't roster them particularly well,” O'Leary said, adding that the French controllers “are just badly managed.”

When strikes or other air traffic problems occur, he said, “the rippling effect of traffic jam” forces air traffic controllers to “hold traffic near the airport and then en route we have to start reducing the speed of the aircraft so that they don’t arrive too early … only after the problem is solved we can let the system resume.”

The looming French strike is just one more risk in a gloomy outlook for summer flights.

“Every summer since Covid has been the worst summer until now,” said Paul Reuter, vice president of the pilot union European Cockpit Association.

One of the two unions leading the strike, UNSA-ICNA, said in a statement there are not enough employees to handle surging air travel and that inflation is eating away at salaries. The unions are also protesting new reform measures aiming to more tightly monitor their work, prompted by a near-collision at the Bordeaux airport.

The timing of the strike was particularly acute, as Friday was the last day of school in France before summer holidays, with many families planning an early getaway. French Prime Minister François Bayrou described the strike as "shocking." "Choosing the day when everyone goes on holiday to go on strike at air traffic control is taking the French hostage," 

According to reports from Airlines for Europe (A4E), more than 300,000 passengers faced travel disruptions due to this strike . Ryanair alone canceled over 400 flights impacting around 70,000 passengers . The situation exemplified the broader issues facing the European aviation industry as it grapples with workforce challenges and operational pressures post-pandemic. Such strikes highlight the critical balance between labor rights and operational continuity within vital sectors like air travel.

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Sara H

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