A large number of French air traffic controllers went on strike from July 3 to 4, causing serious impacts on civil aviation transport across France.
According to information released by the French civil aviation authorities, major city airports in France are most affected by the strike. Flights at Nice Airport are expected to be reduced by half; airports in Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, and Ajaccio are expected to see a 30% reduction in flights; flights at Paris Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais airports are expected to be reduced by 25%.
With France's summer holiday set to start this weekend, the French Civil Aviation Authority is concerned that the strike will make the situation in civil aviation transport on the 4th even more tense, and has asked the main Paris airports to reduce 40% of flights that day.
Air France revealed that it has been 'forced to adjust' its flight schedule, but its long-haul routes have not been affected by the strike.
In addition, major European airline Ryanair has cancelled 170 flights due to the strike, affecting about 30,000 passengers.
Ryanair stated that the strike affects not only passengers flying in France, but also those who plan to transit through French airspace.
The strike, launched by France's second-largest air traffic controller union, aims to change 'long-term understaffing, outdated equipment, and harmful management practices.'
French Transport Minister Tabarot on the 3rd described the demands of the union as 'unacceptable.'
He stated that airlines will suffer significant losses due to the strike and that passengers will also experience inconvenience as a result.