Ryanair decries latest French ATC union strike

Ryanair has called on the European Commission (EC) to take action to “prevent the skies of Europe being closed” as French air traffic control (ATC) unions announced they will go on strike on Thursday.

The low-budget airline cancelled 56 flights to, from and over France. Ryanair said the strike was aimed at disrupting travel for fans during the European Championship.

Ryanair said they have called upon the EC to introduce measures to alleviate the impact of strikes on consumers.

The airline recommended the EC require French ATC unions to engage in arbitration, allow Europe’s other ATCs to operate flights over France during a strike or require flights to be protected while union members are on strike.

Ryanair also started a petition to “keep Europe’s skies open”. Once it has a million signatures, the airline said, it will present it to the EC.

Chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs said: “These strikes by French ATC workers are becoming a weekly event by now, causing chaos for families wanting to take their summer breaks but also designed to upset the plans of football fans coming from far and wide to France to enjoy the Euros.

“It is simply unacceptable that this situation is allowed to persist, and we regret that once again we have been forced to cancel a number of flights due to the selfish actions of these workers.”

The Irish airline said customers travelling on Thursday should check their flight status on ryanair.com before travelling.

The ATC unions, SNCTA, UNSA CFDT and Force Ouvriere, previously called off a planned three day strike on 1 June. The unions disagreed with a fall in staff numbers and a prospective limit on summer holidays. They called for financial compensation for restrictive working hours, as more staff were working weekends and better retirement conditions.

The strike on Thursday will be the 51st strike since 2009 and the 11th in the past week. Recent industrial action was against reform to labour laws which would make hiring and firing employees easier.

Only 10% of the workforce in France belongs to a union - the least in Europe - but unions have significant influence as negotiated labour conditions are applied to everyone working in any sector.

Ryanair’s shares were up 0.19% to 13.56 at 1700 BST.