French air traffic control strike: What does the October walkout mean for your flight?
What to know about the French airport strikes in October
- The main French air traffic control union, SNCTA, is planning a strike from 7 to 10 October 2025, which is expected to cause widespread flight cancellations and delays across western Europe.
- The union's grievances include alleged “mistrust, punitive practices, and brutal managerial methods” within air traffic control governance, alongside demands for pay restoration due to inflation.
- Tens of thousands of passengers are likely to have their journeys cancelled, with a previous strike by smaller unions causing almost 3,000 cancellations and an estimated €120m cost to the aviation industry.
- Flights overflying French airspace, particularly those between the UK and Mediterranean destinations, are expected to suffer disproportionate disruption.
- Airlines are legally obliged to re-route passengers and provide accommodation for cancelled flights, regardless of the strike's cause, a situation criticised by Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary who urged the European Commission to protect overflights.