Ryanair has warned up to 220 flights across Europe will be cancelled today due to a strike by French air traffic controllers.
It said around 35 services from Dublin, Cork and Belfast are likely to be affected if they fly over French airspace or on routes monitored by air traffic controllers in France. Claiming 40,000 passengers will be affected, Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary laid into French unions, officials and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen for the disruption.
He added while he accepts the right of French workers to strike, he argued it is unfair for flights travelling through French airspace but not landing in France to be affected. Mr O’Leary said: “France is using minimum service legislation to protect local flights.
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“But all the cancellations are then being disproportionately being passed on to English, Irish, Italian, Spanish and German flights. This is unfair. When there are air traffic control strikes in Italy they protect overflights.
“France must be required by the EU commission to protect overflights. It is unfair flights from the UK to Spain or from Italy to Portugal are being cancelled simply because French air traffic control units want to go on strike.
“We respect their right to strike, but if they want to strike cancel the French flights, protect the overflights.”
Today’s bank holiday will mark the 51st day of strikes by French air traffic controllers, who have been protesting President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to raise the national retirement age from 62 to 64 since spring.
Travellers on flights passing through French airspace have been advised to contact their airlines for updates.
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