Thousands of British holidaymakers are having their flights cancelled

Hundreds of flights to, from and over France have been cancelled ahead of another strike by air-traffic controllers, affecting thousands of British passengers flying to, from or over French airspace. The stoppage is part of a nationwide strike in protest at new labour laws that reduce workers’ rights.

France has the busiest skies in Europe. Around 60 per cent of easyJet’s entire flight programme normally crosses French airspace.

The airline says: “We are doing everything possible to minimise the impact of the strike on our customers, and have taken the decision to proactively cancel a number of flights, allowing customers to reorganise their journeys.”

Ryanair has cancelled 70 flights on Thursday, including East Midlands to Alicante, Stansted to Perpignan and Luton to Nimes - as well as the corresponding inbound flights. The airline has launched an online petition to demand European limitations on the disruption that involves relatively small groups of air-traffic workers closing skies. 

Ryanair’s marketing director, Kenny Jacobs warned that more skies can be expected: “As we approach the peak holiday season, European travellers should prepare for a summer of discontent as there is absolutely nothing preventing these selfish unions from staging even more strikes in the coming weeks and months. How many more flights and customers will be disrupted before the Commission finally takes action?”