France: ATC strike triggers another 300 flight cancellations

Over 300 European flights were expected to be cancelled July 5 during another French air traffic control walkout. European lobby group Airlines for Europe had warned that more than 200,000 passengers would be affected by the strike action. “The strike is expected to last for 35 hours and will see more than 200 flight cancellations—delays and time-consuming detours not included. Later this month, another strike will hit Italy with hundreds of flights at risk of being canceled,” A4E said. Eurocontrol said it was experiencing moderate to high delays around Paris, with up to moderate disruption around the cities of Brest, Bordeaux and Marseille. A4E member Ryanair preemptively canceled 102 flights, affecting over 18,000 passengers, with another 100,000 likely to be hit by delays as a result of this latest industrial action. “We are calling on the European Commission to take action to prevent these ATC strikes from disrupting the travel plans of Europe’s citizens and their families,” Ryanair chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs said.<br/>