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Local sources from France: 20 Minutes, francebleu.fr.
UK coverage: Euronews.com.

Travelers across France and potentially throughout Europe are bracing for potential disruptions as the Syndicat National des Contrôleurs du Trafic Aérien (SNCTA), France’s largest air traffic control union, has announced a 24-hour strike scheduled from September 18 to 19. This move comes amid escalating tensions between the union, which represents 60% of France’s air traffic controllers, and the Civil Aviation Authority over several key issues, including pay, working conditions, and management practices.

The SNCTA has been vocal about its dissatisfaction with the current state of dialogue with the Civil Aviation Authority, criticizing its management methods and calling for significant operational reforms and wage increases to offset inflation. This upcoming strike is not the first instance of industrial action within the sector, as smaller unions initiated strikes in July, resulting in substantial travel disruptions that affected over a million passengers and inflicted financial damages on airlines. However, given the SNCTA’s considerable influence and membership size, the impact of this strike could surpass previous disruptions, prompting travelers and airlines to prepare for a challenging period.

According to a statement from the union, the strike is set to commence with the morning service on September 18 and conclude at the end of the night service on September 19. The SNCTA’s grievances are multifaceted, emphasizing the need for compensation adjustments in light of inflation and criticizing the governance of air traffic control. Specifically, the union has taken issue with the public authorities’ refusal to implement an automatic inflation compensation mechanism for 2024, a move that they argue not only erodes the purchasing power of air traffic controllers but also diminishes France’s competitiveness within the European air traffic control sector.

Moreover, the SNCTA has expressed concerns over what it perceives as distrustful, punitive, and degrading management practices, including the dissemination of humiliating portrayals of the profession at European forums. Calling for a ‘profound change’ in how operations are managed, the union’s request for an annual meeting to discuss inflation compensation and other grievances remains unanswered, leading to the decision to authorize a strike.

This announcement has prompted advisories for passengers to maintain close contact with their airlines for updates on potential delays and cancellations. The strike not only highlights ongoing issues within France’s air traffic control but also raises questions about the broader implications for air travel in Europe, especially considering the interconnected nature of the continent’s air traffic networks. As the date of the strike approaches, both travelers and airlines are advised to prepare for a range of contingencies, underscoring the critical role of air traffic controllers in ensuring the smooth operation of Europe’s air transportation system.