British tourists may face huge disruption within just days as a new wave of strikes has been announced.
One of France’s busiest airports, Paris Orly, is expected to be affected by the walkout of air traffic controllers between June 11 and 13.
The union representing these workers, UNSA-ICNA, announced the industrial action, taking place just weeks after their last strike saw 70 percent of inbound/outbound Orly flights cancelled.
The strike is not affecting other French airports – but it isn’t yet known whether it could have an impact on overflights, which are flights crossing the French airspace.
Past strikes of French air traffic controllers prompted widespread cancellations and delays across Europe, which has prompted airline Ryanair to call on the European Union to take action to protect overflights during strikes.
As more than 2.5 million flights enter the French airspace each year, overflight disruption can result in travel nightmares for many.
The French air travel industry has been majorly affected by industrial actions over the past 18 months, with one recent strike on April 25 dubbed by French media “black day” for local airports and travellers for the issues it created for many.
The UNSA-ICNA is the second-largest union representing air traffic controllers and is protesting against a new “48-hour law” governing how much notice must be provided to managers before a strike.
Among other issues presented by the union is also the fear about Paris Orly’s status among French airports, as Air France is planning to move its operations to the bigger Paris Charles de Gaulle air hub.
The biggest union encompassing air controllers in France is the SNCTA, which signed an agreement in May with the French civil aviation authority on salary and, among other measures, the 48-hour law.