French ATC Strike: Here’s what you need to know

Widespread disruption expected

As the latest French Air Traffic Control (ATC) strike takes hold later today here’s what you need to know if you plan to travel over the next few days.

Today’s strike is the latest in a long-running dispute by French Air Traffic Controllers who are unhappy with changes to their pay and conditions. The strike will begin at 18:00hrs today (21st May) and run through to 05:00hrs on Wednesday (23rd May) in what has become a familiar disruption to summer travel plans.

The industrial action will hit flights from the UK to France and flights that would normally overfly French Airspace to destinations such as Spain, Portugal and Africa.

Up to 50 percent of flights from the UK to France could be affected with many cancelled or hit with severe delays.

If you are due to travel to France this evening, or tomorrow then you should check with your airline to see if your flight is still operating and keep an eye on Airport live flight information. You can find a list of UK airports in our Aviation & Aerospace Directory.

If your flight is delayed or cancelled then you should be entitled to assistance, including financial assistance, under the Denied Boarding Regulations.

You can either:

Have an alternative flight to your destination (rerouting).

• If your flight wasn’t direct and was cancelled part-way through, you are entitled to a flight back to your original point of departure or to be refunded in full.
• Be rerouted to your final destination at the earliest opportunity. Importantly this can include alternative flights and booking seats with other airlines.
• Be rerouted to your final destination at a later date convenient to you. Importantly this can include alternative flights and booking seats with other airlines.

Cancel your flight and get a refund.

You can also choose this option if the delay lasts for five hours or more but the flight isn’t cancelled.

The airline must refund you the full cost of the flight within seven days. It’s important to note that once you accept a refund the airline no longer has a duty of care towards you.

For more information about your rights visit Which?