A proposed French law will require air traffic controllers (ATCs) to announce their participation in a strike at least 48 hours in advance, aiming to reduce disruption for passengers affected by ATC strikes.
In 2023, France accounted for the majority of ATC strike days in the EU, resulting in thousands of flights cancelled and delayed, impacting over 11m passengers.
The new law aligns the ATCs’ right to strike with other aviation and transportation workers, allowing the French Air Navigation Service Provider to better manage air traffic reductions during strikes.
In a written statement, Airlines for Europe (A4E) said: “While the French law is a positive step, further measures, such as mandatory arbitration and protection of overflights, are needed to address the chronic disruption caused by ATC strikes and improve European connectivity. A4E calls for enhanced collaboration between the European Commission and Member States to tackle this issue.”
Two French air traffic control trade unions, SNCTA and UNSA have signed up to a deal avoiding strikes until after the Paris Olympics. A third union, USAC-CGT, has continued to organise strikes, often at short notice.
