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The head of easyJet has stated that the recent strikes by French air traffic controllers have led to “unacceptable difficulties for passengers and staff.”
Kenton Jarvis, the head of the low-cost carrier, stated that they were “very dissatisfied” with the strike that occurred in early July, which resulted in “unforeseen and substantial expenses” for the airlines.
Over 1 million travelers were affected by the strike conducted by French air traffic controllers on July 3 and 4 due to disputes regarding their working conditions, as reported by Eurocontrol, the European aviation coordinator.
EasyJet had to cancel 660 flights as a result of the incident, leading to a total cost of £15 million (€17.3 million). French air traffic control has been the main reason fordelayssince the beginning of the summer for the carrier.
Jarvis insisted that the French government “intervene and collaborate effectively with their ANSP (air navigation service provider), as it has been the least efficient air traffic control region in Europe, and they need to take proactive steps and implement long-term solutions.”
What is the reason behind the strike by French air traffic controllers?
Two organizations, UNSA‑ICNA and USAC‑CGT, were involved in strikes on July 3 and 4. These are the second and third largest unions representing air traffic controllers in France. The largest one, SNCTA, did not participate in the strike.
The movement was fueled by several workplace issues, which are part of a continuous conflict with the French Directorate General for civil aviation, including long-standing staff shortages and outdated, unreliable equipment, according to unions who claim it is nearing the end of its lifespan.
Two unions also expressed concerns regarding what they described as a “toxic” management environment, featuring heightened internal monitoring, including the implementation of a new biometric time clock to track their attendance.
Ryanair urges the EU to take action regarding ‘leisure’ strikes
The head of easyJet’s statements increase the pressure frombudget carrier Ryanair, which has described the strikes by air traffic controllers as “recreational”.
The airline alleged that air traffic control personnel in France were seeking “time off” during the strike on 3 and 4 July.
Jade Kirwan, Ryanair’s director of communications, stated to The Telegraph that certain employees kept on striking or took leave during the weekend, leading to two additional days of flight cancellations.
Ryanair fears that comparable disruptions and illness-related claims might persist throughout the summer season, leading to further travel inconveniences for travelers.
“What is preventing French air traffic controllers from shutting down the EU skies once more next week or the following week with additional unjustified recreational strikes?” said CEO Michael O’Leary earlier this month.
He stated that 90 percent of the flights canceled during the two-day strike might have been prevented if the European Commission had taken action.
The low-cost airline has urged the European Union to update the region’s air traffic management system to avoid disruptions in flights over a nation during controller strikes.
The leading airline association in the EU, Airlines for Europe (A4E), hasalso strongly criticized the disruption caused by the strikesIt was reported in early July that the French air traffic control had already been identified as “one of the weakest links” in Europe’s system.
Ourania Georgoutsakou, the Managing Director of A4E, mentioned that French air traffic control already presents some of the most unfavorable delay statistics and urged decision-makers to implement measures.
What was the effect of air traffic control strikes on flight operations?
During the two-day strike, nearly 3,000 flights were canceled and over 7,400 were delayed, as reported by Eurocontrol data. This impacted over 1 million travelers, with approximately 200,000 passengers unable to travel as planned because of the cancellations.
The attacks caused the rate of flights arriving and departing on schedule to drop from the June average of 75 percent to 64 percent during the two days.
One out of every five European flights typically passes through France, even when they do not actually land there. Flights traveling to and from nearby countries such as Spain, the United Kingdom, and Italy were significantly affected.
The percentage of flights that fly over France is significantly higher, with approximately half of its flights passing through the country. This increases the airline’s susceptibility to disruptions caused by strikes from French air traffic controllers.
Eurocontrol estimates that the strikes have resulted in a total loss of €120 million for the aviation sector, including reduced revenue and expenses related to assisting affected passengers. Approximately €47 million was attributed to delays, while €72 million was due to cancellations.
A representative from the European Union informed the Financial Times that theThis summer might be the most challenging one for delays everand disruptions caused by a lack of air traffic control personnel, walkouts, incidents, and increased travel popularity.