RYANAIR has announced the cancellation of 300 flights due to a strike by air traffic controllers in France

Ryanair today (April 24) announced the cancellation of more than 300 flights due to the strike by air traffic controllers in France, which was scheduled for April 25. This is due to France's failure to protect flights during strikes.

Even though it is French ATC that is going on strike, most of the passengers affected are not flying to/from France but flying over French airspace on their way to destinations in various other countries such as UK, Spain, Italy.

Air traffic controllers in France go on strike on April 25, 2024

French law unfairly protects domestic flights, meaning that French flights are protected but international flights are cancelled.

Ryanair is again calling on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take urgent action to protect flights, which she has not done for the past 5 years. The freedom of movement of EU citizens is denied by these ATC strikes. RYANAIR is calling on passengers to join the campaign by signing the 'Protect Overflights: Keep EU Skies Open' petition. The petition has been signed by more than 2,1 million people in Europe.

Ryanair and its passengers are asking the EU Commission to take the following measures to protect flights during French ATC strikes;

• Protect French overflights by law during air traffic controller strikes, as is happening in Greece, Italy and Spain.
• Allow other ATCs in Europe to handle flights over France while French ATCs are on strike.

Statement by Michael O'Leary, RYANAIR CEO

"French air traffic controllers are free to go on strike, that is their right, but we should be canceling French flights, not flights leaving Ireland, going to Italy or flights from Germany to Spain or from Scandinavia to Portugal.

The European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, has failed for 5 years to take any action to protect overflights and the single air travel market. We again call on them to take action to protect flights, which will eliminate over 90% of these flight cancellations.

In June we will have European elections, we encourage everyone to vote in these elections and ask your MEP and the European Commission to take action to protect flights. We cannot have the skies over Europe repeatedly closed as French air traffic controllers go on strike.

Protect overflights during national ATC strikes, reduce flight cancellations and disruptions and let's have a better summer for all citizens and visitors to Europe.” said Michael O'Leary, RYANAIR CEO.