France ATC strikes rescheduled to October, threatening extended travel disruption
SNCTA union timetable shift foreshadows more widespread disruptions as European carriers brace for delays
France's air traffic control strikes have been rescheduled for October 2025, extending a major disruption to European travel as the SNCTA union announced new dates. The strike action, originally planned to go ahead on September 18 for 24 hours, would have disrupted nearly 200 UK flights and seen much of France's airspace brought to a standstill over government budget cuts and stalled wage talks. The rescheduled action, according to the Independent, will take place in early October.
The longer strike is slated to begin on the morning of October 7 and end on the morning of October 10. It is forecast to be more disruptive than the September plan, with 60% to 70% of airport programs reduced. Business aviation operators have been warned to expect en-route restrictions and widespread rerouting.
The SNCTA pulled out of the September strikes after the collapse of the Bayrou government, leaving the transport ministry without leadership to engage in talks. The union said: "The absence of a minister of transport currently makes it impossible to achieve demands at the ministerial level."
Back in July, thousands of British holidaymakers had travel plans disrupted after nearly 200 flights were cancelled due to French ATC strikes. Ryanair reduced more than 160 flights, affecting tens of thousands of passengers. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary renewed calls for EU reform to the bloc's air traffic control services, saying: "Once again, European families are held to ransom by French air traffic controllers going on strike. It is not acceptable that overflights over French airspace en-route to their destination are being cancelled or delayed as a result of yet another French ATC strike. It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on EU passengers and families going on holidays." Some 15 Ryanair flights arriving at or departing from London Stansted were cancelled, with disruptions also at Manchester and Edinburgh.
Industry observers say the October date could complicate summer travel plans, with travellers across the UK and Europe planning around the anticipated disruption. The UNSA and CGT unions reportedly still carried out actions, but the impact was not as substantial as the SNCTA's original plan.