Air traffic controllers strike: disruptions expected at airports on Thursday

Monitor air traffic on Thursday. Several air traffic controllers’ unions filed strike notices on Thursday, April 25, to denounce the content of a protocol currently being negotiated aimed at restructuring air navigation services. Up to 70% of flights were canceled on Thursday at major airports, according to a first estimate provided to airlines and obtained by Les Échos. All the strikers have not yet declared themselves; they have until Tuesday to do this.

SNCTA, which represents 60% of the voices among air traffic controllers, spoke out in a press release earlier this month about the “U-turn” by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) “directly calling into question the sincerity of the negotiations and the compromises found so far. She therefore “served notice of strike on April 25, 2024.”

“Immediate start of real consultation”

The Unsa-UTCAC union, for its part, also criticized the fact that some negotiations were excluded from the new version of the protocol. He therefore “decided to file a strike notice to finally gain consideration and respect for all the staff he represents” and called for “real consultation to begin immediately.”

The talks, which began 15 months ago, plan to review the organization of air traffic control in France, in particular the territorial coverage of air navigation services, as well as reorganize the work of air traffic controllers to cope with the announced increase in air traffic. But this must be done in exchange for higher wages and unionization.

In 2023, air traffic was regularly disrupted due to strikes by air traffic controllers, especially during the conflict over pension reform. In December, on the day of the strike, 30% of flights were canceled, in some places up to 50%.