French Air Traffic Control strike: Which flight delays can be expected?
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
<p> </p><p><meta charset="utf-8" /></p><h3 dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-0280aeb1-4827-4f23-9c4b-61c3d63dffe7">When and Why is the strike going to take place?</b></h3><p> </p><ul>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The strike is going to take place from 6pm (British time) on Wednesday 21st March until Friday 23rd March at 5am.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">The strike is in response to recent proposals from President Macron’s government that will affect many French public service workers.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">These decisions include job cuts, pay freezes (freeze in public service salaries) and reduced number of sick days for many public service sectors.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Air traffic controllers are among several workers unions that are going to take part in the strike. The goal of the strike is to pressure the government into creating more jobs within their sector. </p>
</li>
</ul><p><img alt="" src="/uploads/2018/3/CDG shutterstock_429164179.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 498px;" /></p><h3 dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-0280aeb1-4827-4f23-9c4b-61c3d63dffe7">What is the result of air traffic control going on strike?</b></h3><p> </p><p dir="ltr">At the beginning of the strike on Wednesday, many french air traffic staff will walk out. This will have some important consequences for flight passengers. In response to the strike, the French authorities were forced to order a 30 per cent reduction in arrivals and departures in many of the main French airports, including: Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly, Bordeaux, Lyon, Nantes and Toulouse. As a result, there will be major disruptions to flight traffic in and out of France. Many flights will be delayed or cancelled. More information on this is detailed below.</p><p dir="ltr"> </p><p dir="ltr">Finally, even if you make it to France without any trouble, the public transport within the nation is going to be severely affected. Rail travel and the Paris transport system are likely to be delayed.</p><p> </p><h3 dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-0280aeb1-4827-4f23-9c4b-61c3d63dffe7">Which major airlines are likely to experience cancellations and delays? </b></h3><p> </p><ul>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Air France</strong> - the company has announced that “last-minute delays and cancellations can be expected”. The airline plans to continue its long haul schedule. However, many cuts will need to be made to shorter flights.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr"><strong>British Airways</strong> - The UK based airline has been forced to cancel several flights in preparation for the strike. The airline is currently offering passengers to move their flight out of the strike period in anticipation of cancellations and delays.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr"><strong>EasyJet</strong> - The popular airline released a statement on their website explaining that there “will be delays and cancellations due to the industrial action, therefore we advise all customers to check the status of their flight”.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Ryanair</strong> - The budget airline were angry at the news of the strikes and announced that they will “advise customers of any changes to our flights”.</p>
</li>
</ul><p><br />
<img alt="" src="/uploads/2018/3/CDG shutterstock_289342862.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px;" /></p><h3 dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-0280aeb1-4827-4f23-9c4b-61c3d63dffe7">What can you do if your flights are impacted by the strike?</b></h3><h3> </h3><p dir="ltr">If you find that your flight is delayed as a result of the french strike then you may be entitled to several consumer rights under EU regulation. These are as follows:</p><p> </p><ul>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Every delayed passenger is entitled to two free phone calls, faxes or emails</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">Passengers are also entitled to free meals and refreshments depending on the length of the delay.</p>
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
<p dir="ltr">If you are delayed and an overnight stay is required, free hotel accommodation and hotel transfers are provided by the airline.</p>
</li>
</ul><p> </p><p dir="ltr">If you have any further questions, you can always send us an email our <a href="https://www.flight-delayed.co.uk/contact">get in touch with us</a>. We specialise in passenger rights and flight compensation after delays, so we'd be more than glad to answer any question you might have. If you are unsure while at the airport, you can always approach a representative of the airline. They are held responsible for informing you of your rights under a delay.</p><p><br />
</p><h3 dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-0280aeb1-4827-4f23-9c4b-61c3d63dffe7">Claiming compensation for flights delayed by the French strike.</b></h3><p> </p><p dir="ltr">Unfortunately, in a large number of cases regarding strikes, airlines are not held liable to offer compensation. This is because when the strike is organised by a third party, in this case the french air traffic controllers, it is technically out of the airlines control and therefore considered an ‘extraordinary circumstance’.</p><p> </p><p dir="ltr"><b id="docs-internal-guid-0280aeb1-4827-4f23-9c4b-61c3d63dffe7">BUT!</b></p><p> </p><p dir="ltr">There are conditions where an airline will be required to pay its passengers compensation for a delayed flight. For example when the airline staff go on strike or if the airline itself can be held responsible. If you would like to check to see if you are entitled to compensation, please use our free flight checker below. At Flightdelayed.co.uk our mission is to help delayed passengers and ensure they are treated fairly by their airlines, even taking legal action when necessary. If you would like to check to see if you are entitled to compensation, you can use our free <a href="https://www.flight-delayed.co.uk/submit-claim">flight checker</a> to find out if you can file in a claim with us! (You will not be charged if your claim is unsuccessful).</p>