Rugby World Cup: Irish fans may grapple with transport alternatives due to French air traffic control strike

Strike action by French air traffic controllers later this week could see the plans of thousands of Irish rugby fans hoping to go to Nantes for Saturday’s match against Tonga booted into touch before kick-off. Another mass walk out orchestrated by France’s largest union for air traffic controllers is scheduled to take place on Friday with Ireland’s second group game scheduled to kick off at 9pm local time on Saturday. And while Ryanair and Aer Lingus have played down mass cancellations, the impact of the strike on Irish rugby fans is still up in the air. People who booked flights for the day of the game are likely to be okay – although previous air traffic control strikes in France have tended to impact flights at least to some degree even after they end. The key day will be Friday and those who have planned to make a weekend of it by flying out the day before might find their travel plans in disarray.<br/>