A4E, IATA call for action to prevent ‘unjustified’ ATC strikes

A4E and IATA are again calling on European authorities to take action against what they call unjustified air traffic control strikes and to ensure service continuity for air traffic management services. According to IATA, strikes by controllers have caused 1m minutes of delay (more than 16,000 hours) across Europe this year. A4A said the latest ATC strikes in Greece, Italy, Belgium and France since March this year have caused over 4,000 cancellations among A4E members. This week’s French ATC 35-hour strike, which began Sept 14, is the 11th ATC strike in France this year. According to A4E, airlines this week in France had to reduce their flight schedule by 15% and more than 300 flights were expected to be canceled—delays and time-consuming detours not included. <br/>