Most French airports affected by industrial action

France's Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport cancelled one in 10 flights on 21-Jul-2010 due to a strike conducted by air traffic controllers in protest of the European Union's plans for the Single European Sky project (DW World/Reuters, 21-Jul-2010). The action was called by five trade unions who fear the merger will lead to job losses and cuts in benefits. Half of all services were cancelled at Orly Airport, 22% of flights were cancelled in Marseilles as well as 6% of flights at Nice Cote d'Azur Airport. Disruption commenced on the evening of 20-Jul-2020 and is set to continue until 22-Jul-2010. Air France has said its long-haul flights aren't affected and stated 80% of medium-haul flights were operating (The Irish Times, 21-Jul-2010). Some 30% of air traffic controllers took part in the strike. Tunisair reported (20-Jul-2010) several cancellations for 21-Jul-2010, while Ryanair and Aer Lingus services were also affected. Ryanair called on the French Government to ensure airports remain open during strike action by utilising the military's air traffic controllers. The government stated the strike was "unacceptable". [more - Tunisair] [more - Tunisian Airports] [more - Helsinki Airport]

Ryanair: "The government must keep France's vital airports and air traffic control services open even during periods of industrial disruption. Today's French air traffic control strike and the industrial action taken by Spanish ATC workers in recent weeks highlights the urgent need for a standardised Europe-wide system of air traffic control to ensure that striking air traffic controllers in one country could not hold the travelling public to ransom. Under a standardised Europe-wide ATC, strikes would be covered by controllers in other countries so that passengers are not disrupted by strike action of very well paid ATC workers," Stephen McNamara, Spokesperson. Source: The Irish Times, 21-Jul-2010.