Ryanair has warned that up to 600 flights a day could be cancelled next week as French air traffic controllers prepare to strike, potentially affecting 100,000 passengers.
The walkout, led by the SNCTA union, is scheduled for 7–10 October and is expected to reduce capacity across western European airspace. Routes from the UK to France, Spain, Italy and Greece are likely to be disrupted, as many flights pass over France.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary called on the European Commission to protect overflights, arguing that non-French routes should not be grounded when French unions strike. “They have the right to strike, but if flights are to be cancelled they should be flights arriving to and from France. They should not be overflights,” he said.
The airline estimates up to 600 daily cancellations if restrictions are enforced. Other carriers, including EasyJet and British Airways, have yet to confirm the scale of disruption.
Ryanair also pointed to wider pressures on air travel, including post-pandemic staff shortages in air traffic control centres and reduced flight paths due to the closure of Ukrainian and Russian airspace.
The strikes come after a smaller walkout earlier this week caused about 30 cancellations and widespread delays for Ryanair passengers.
