A strike by French air traffic controllers has caused widespread disruptions at Paris’ airports, with around 40% of flights to and from Paris canceled on Friday. The strike, which started on Thursday, was called in protest of better working conditions, citing a shortage of employees and rising inflation eating into salaries.
Airports across France were affected, with Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais airports serving Paris seeing the largest number of cancellations. Ryanair reported canceling over 400 flights affecting 70,000 passengers, while Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot called the unions’ demands “unacceptable”.
The strike has caused chaos among travelers, with many experiencing flight delays and cancellations. One passenger, Mariano Mignola from Italy, was left stranded after his flight back to Paris was canceled. “We have to do everything on our own, but it’s impossible” in the midst of holiday departures, he said.
The strike is also affecting air travel across Europe, with disruptions expected at all French airports. The European Union has been urged to reform air traffic rules by Ryanair, which claims the strike affects not only flights over French airspace but also traffic in and out of French airports.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/france-strike-air-traffic-controllers-baa290e6594404bf260e8031b393edc2