Ryanair and EasyJet cancel flights ahead of latest French strikes

Ryanair has been forced to cancelled a “small number” 2,500 daily flights due to the third wave of strikes in France in protest against pension reforms.

Europe’s largest no-frills carrier repeated a plea to the European Commission to intervene to prevent disruption to aircraft flying over the country due to air traffic controllers joining the walk outs.

The airline is calling for air traffic controllers from other countries to manage flights over France during the nationwide strike action, which starts this afternoon (Monday) and runs until 6am on Wednesday.

EasyJet also warned that flights to and from France, as well as those flying in French airspace, could be affected.

“Also flights that do not operate through France may still be affected as 65% of easyJet flights operate through French air space and may be delayed before arriving for your flight,” the UK budget carrier added.

“We expect that there could possibly be delays and cancellations due to the industrial action, therefore we advise all customers to check the status of their flight.”

Ryanair operations director Neal McMahon said: “We have had to cancel a small number of our 2,500 daily flights as a result of yet another pointless French ATC strike, the third already this year. 

“It is inexplicable that French air traffic control can once again hold European passengers and visitors to ransom. 

“Even passengers who are not flying to/from France are impacted because they overfly French airspace at a time when French laws protect French domestic flights. 

“The European Commission must step in and to preserve the free movement of people by protecting overflights from these needless strikes. 

“Protecting overflights, as done in Italy and Greece is the simplest and most effective solution to avoid unnecessary mass disruption and must be implemented to protect passengers.”