French air traffic controllers to strike, airlines brace for more disruptions

A union representing French air traffic controllers has confirmed that its members are to strike after the Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC) failed to respond to their concerns.  

The SNCTA, the majority union of French air traffic controllers, announced on August 26, 2025, that fresh industrial action will take place on September 18, 2025.  

The union insists that DGAC officials had failed to enter into a dialogue regarding worker’s grievances over pay and anger resulting from the way the sector is governed.  

Air traffic controllers are calling for their salaries to reflect the rise in inflation during 2024 and demanding an annual meeting to discuss its impact.  

“For several years, the governance of air traffic control has been characterized by mistrust, punitive practices, and degrading managerial methods,” said a union statement. 

News of a fresh strike will cause concern for European airlines, after a two-day strike by ATC staff in July 2025 caused flight cancellations and delays. 

In a report published by Eurocontrol following the July strikes, the organization claimed that an average of 3,713 flights were delayed and 1,422 flights cancelled each day.  

Ryanair was the most severely affected, followed by easyJet and Air France. The highest share of flights delayed by the strikes was Volotea on 34%, followed by Air France (33%), easyJet (25%), Ryanair (21%) and Vueling (20%). 

The Ryanair CEO has been highly critical of French ATC strikes, describing industrial action by union members as “recreational”. 

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