Ryanair and easyJet have alerted passengers about upcoming strikes that may disrupt over 100,000 travelers. The SNCTA, a major French air traffic control union, has planned a strike from 7 to 10 October 2025, which is likely to cause numerous flight cancellations and delays across western Europe.
Although airlines are uncertain about the exact number of flights to cancel until the strike commences, Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, anticipates up to 600 daily flight cancellations affecting around 100,000 passengers. O’Leary expressed concerns about the impact on the EU market due to French strikes, emphasizing the need to limit cancellations to flights to and from France rather than overflights.
The strike by the SNCTA is driven by issues such as air traffic control governance, including concerns about punitive practices and demands for pay increases to combat inflation. Kenton Jarvis, CEO of easyJet, emphasized the need to address the disruptions caused by air traffic control strikes, urging the French aviation authority to enhance system resilience and safeguard overflying during strike days to prevent unnecessary travel disruptions.
The upcoming strike is expected to create significant disruptions, particularly affecting flights transiting French airspace, with previous strikes resulting in numerous cancellations and substantial costs for the aviation industry. According to AirAdvisor, around 129,600 UK passengers will be impacted, with high disruption rates expected on routes to Spain, Italy, France, and other destinations.
Select routes, including those to Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, the Canary Islands, Morocco, and Tunisia, are deemed most susceptible to disruptions due to the strike. The bottleneck effect of French airspace will impact a significant portion of UK flights to Mediterranean destinations, leading to cancellations or delays. Airlines face challenges rerouting flights to avoid French airspace due to logistical constraints, adding complexity and costs.
Travelers flying to Spain and Portugal from London, Manchester, and Bristol are likely to face significant disruptions, including last-minute flight cancellations and extensive rerouting. Delays, re-routings, and overnight stays at connecting hubs are expected due to the strike’s impact on flight schedules and routes.
