French Air Traffic Control Strike: A Major Disruption to European Travel
Air passengers traveling to, or flying over France are currently facing serious disruptions. This is due to a four-day strike by French air traffic controllers. The strike began on October 7 and is set to continue until October 10. The National Union of Air Traffic Controllers (SNCTA) confirmed the strike, which is expected to affect hundreds of thousands of travelers across Europe.
This disruption comes on the heels of a similar strike in July 2025. That strike led to large-scale disruptions, with more than 1,500 flights canceled. This affected over a million passengers and caused airlines to lose approximately €120 million.
Passengers are advised to:
- Check their flight status 48 hours before departure
- Download airline mobile apps for real-time notifications about changes
Travel experts also recommend considering alternative transportation. Rail and bus services, for example, will likely see increased demand during the strike period.
Airlines are obligated to provide alternative routes or new tickets at no additional cost for connecting flights. However, passengers who booked separately may need to rely on travel insurance to cover additional expenses.