Ryanair has warned that around 600 flights could be cancelled next week due to strikes by French air traffic controllers, affecting up to 100,000 passengers. The industrial action, organised by the Syndicat Majoritaire des Contrôleurs Aériens, is scheduled from 7 to 10 October, after being postponed from September due to political unrest in France.
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said the walkout would cost the airline approximately £20 million. He criticised the disruption to overflights—those crossing French airspace but not landing in France—calling it an abuse of the single market. Countries such as Spain and Greece protect overflights during strikes, but France does not.
O'Leary told Sky News that about two-thirds of Ryanair's 900 daily flights crossing French airspace would be cancelled, with the UK particularly affected due to its geographic proximity to France. He urged passengers to check with their airline 48 hours before departure and to arrive at airports early.
Passengers affected by cancellations due to cabin crew or pilot strikes are entitled to compensation, but strikes by air traffic controllers are considered outside the airline's control, so no compensation applies. Travellers are advised to download airline apps for updates and consider reducing luggage to carry-on only to avoid long check-in queues.
