Ryanair has issued a serious advisory to travelers scheduled to fly in October, warning of the potential cancellation of numerous flights. The low-cost airline is notifying customers about imminent strikes in France that could disrupt the vacation plans of tens of thousands of passengers. The Syndicat Majoritaire des Contrôleurs Aériens, France’s largest air traffic controllers’ union, is preparing to strike from October 7 to 10 due to dissatisfaction with their current working conditions.
Originally planned for September 17-18, the industrial action was postponed due to political unrest in the country. The rescheduled strike from October 7 to 10 is expected to cause widespread disruption, affecting not only flights to France but also those passing through French airspace.
Ryanair’s CEO has expressed concerns that approximately 100,000 passengers could face flight disruptions next week as a result of the strike, estimating a financial impact of around £20 million for the airline. He emphasized the need to safeguard overflights from strike actions, labeling such disruptions as an abuse of the free single market, a practice already implemented by countries like Spain and Greece but lacking in France.
The airline anticipates being asked to cancel about 600 flights, the majority of which are overflights. This could affect around 100,000 passengers unnecessarily on Wednesday and Thursday, as highlighted by the CEO in an interview with Sky News. The proximity of the UK to France makes it the most impacted country by flight cancellations during air traffic control strikes.
Earlier this summer, a strike by Belgrade air traffic controllers caused significant delays for 99 flights, affecting over 17,800 passengers in just two days. The upcoming French strikes could lead to similar disruptions, especially during the peak travel period in October when Charles de Gaulle Airport typically handles over 200,000 passengers daily.
Travelers are advised to check with their airlines 48 hours before departure for any updates on disruptions and to expect longer wait times at airports. Downloading airline apps can help in staying informed, and passengers should be prepared for potential delays in other modes of transport like trains and coaches due to the strike.
Passengers affected by flight delays or cancellations due to cabin crew or pilot strikes are entitled to compensation by law, as the airline could have foreseen and prevented these issues. However, disruptions caused by airport staff and air traffic controller strikes are considered beyond the airline’s control, thus not eligible for compensation. Travelers are encouraged to plan accordingly, potentially opting for carry-on bags to streamline the check-in process in case of airport staff strikes causing significant queues.
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