Will French air traffic control strikes continue over Christmas?

A strike by air traffic controllers has grounded flights in the south of France today (December 17). 

The largest air traffic control union in France, SNCTA, called for the strike at Montpellier, Nîmes and Perpignan airports after a breakdown in negotiations between unions and aviation authorities over proposed changes to their role. 

Almost all flights from the three airports were cancelled as a result, and flights to and from Lyon and Corsica were also affected.

Read more: French air traffic controllers strike to ground flights at several airports

The one-day strike was the only action called by the SNCTA, however the union said it would not hesitate to widen calls for strike action by its members if negotiations begin to falter elsewhere.

Negotiations over the role of air traffic controllers have been taking place for years in France, with numerous strike motions filed by air traffic control unions in 2023 and the start of 2024.

Have more strikes been called? 

As of today, the union has not called for more action, but it still has time to do so. 

A rule change in 2023 means air traffic controllers are now required to give at least two days notice before striking (they must give notice of their intention to strike by midday two working days before). 

It means unions must file a strike notice at least three days before planned action, but since these motions are usually put to a vote by members, the notice period is usually longer. 

For example, the strike notice for today was called on December 8. 

This means another strike before Christmas is unlikely, but not impossible. 

If unions do vote for further strikes, this will be well publicised by French media, as well as by France’s Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) on its social media pages, including X. 

Does cancellation entitle me to compensation or a refund?

Tickets are always reimbursed in the event of a flight cancellation, including from a strike. 

Under EU rules, airlines must offer one of three options: 

• The reimbursement of your ticket and, if you have a connecting flight, a return flight to the airport of departure at the earliest opportunity

• Re-routing to your final destination at the earliest opportunity or,

• Re-routing at a later date at your convenience under comparable transport conditions, subject to the availability of seats

Once you have accepted one option, the others are unavailable, and you cannot change your mind. 

You must request your refund within seven days of the flight being cancelled. 

Read more: Travel: How to be reimbursed if affected by strike action in France

If a strike by air traffic controllers leads to your flight being cancelled, you may not be in line for additional compensation automatically.

Only strikes that are not considered to be ‘extraordinary circumstances’ can result in a compensation claim.

Airlines often claim that a strike by third-party personnel (such as baggage handlers or air traffic controllers) counts as ‘extraordinary circumstances’ and therefore a compensation claim cannot be made.

A strike by airline personnel such as pilots or cabin crew that causes a cancellation cannot be cited as an extraordinary circumstance.

Compensation for delayed flights

If your flight is delayed due to strike action, but not cancelled, you are entitled to withdraw from your flight after five hours and receive compensation (provided the airline has not offered alternative means of travel). 

In addition, there is a duty of care for passengers at an airport facing delays, including complimentary food and drink, and two telephone calls/emails/faxes. 

These provisions are allowed after two hours for a short-haul flight (up to 1,500km), three hours for a medium-haul (1,500km to 3,500km) or four hours for a long-haul (anything over this). 

If a strike delays your flight until the following day, the hotel must provide accommodation (and the cost of travel there and back from the airport) for passengers.

You have up to six years to lodge a claim for compensation where possible.