French air traffic controllers are set to walk out at the beginning of July, just as the summer holiday season gets going.
Members of the UNSA-ICNA union, which represents air traffic controllers in France, have voted to strike on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 July, citing “toxic management” as one of the reasons for the walk-out.
Several airports across France are likely to be affected by delays and cancellations, and flights travelling through French airspace will also be impacted.
The strike will take place at a time when there are twice as many flights operating as usual. According to France Info, between 10 and 20% of flights may be cancelled, resulting in disruption for thousands of travellers.
Announcing the strike, the union highlighted several grievances and called for more staff and better wages. UNSA-ICNA are calling on all workers to participate in the strike.
The industrial action will take place just before French schoolchildren start their summer holidays. Belgian families travelling to France might also be affected. In Flanders, the summer holidays start on 1 July, while children in Wallonia will start their summer holidays on 7 July.
According to a recent survey, 22% of Belgians plan to take their summer holiday in France this year.
Air traffic controllers have battled for years with the French Civil Aviation Authority over changes to their role, but this is their first strike since the spring of 2024.
Last summer, there was an ‘Olympic truce’ which halted major strike action during the Paris Olympics.
