French Air Traffic Controllers' Strike Disrupts Flights for Second Day, Thousands of Passengers Affected

Jul 04, 2025
International

View of the air traffic control tower at Marseille-Provence Airport in Marignane, near Marseille, France (REUTERS/Manon Cruz/File Photo)

Asif Mahmud | PNN International Desk, Paris | July 4 (Reuters) — The air traffic controllers' strike in France entered its second day on Friday, causing major disruption during the peak of Europe’s summer travel season. Thousands of passengers remain stranded, with a large number of flights canceled.

France’s civil aviation authority, DGAC, reported that 40% of scheduled flights from Paris's three major airports had to be canceled on Friday. Air traffic controllers participating in the strike say they were forced to take this action due to staff shortages and outdated equipment.

DGAC also confirmed that more than half of the flights at several other airports across France, especially in the south, have been either canceled or significantly delayed.

An Italian tourist, Mariano Mignola, who was stranded at Orly Airport, expressed his frustration:

"We are hostages in Paris."

He added, “We were supposed to fly home today, but the next available flight is on July 8. We have no apartment, can’t find a hotel, no rental car, no train — nothing. We’re panicked, the children are scared, and we don’t know what to do.”

French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot has called the strike “unacceptable.” DGAC has warned that in addition to cancellations, travelers could face long delays and significant disruptions throughout the system.

Meanwhile, Airlines for Europe (A4E), a lobbying group, said on Thursday night that 1,500 flights had been canceled over the two-day strike, affecting 300,000 passengers and causing widespread delays.