French Air Traffic Controller Strike Threatens Massive Flight Cancellations to Morocco

Major disruptions at French airports. The SNCRA is going on strike this Thursday. According to a source close to the matter, this walkout could lead to the cancellation of 75% of flights at Paris-Orly airport and 65% at Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle, as well as in Marseille. For its part, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) is calling on airlines to cancel 60% of flights in Toulouse and Nice, and 50% for the other airports.

Thursday will be a difficult day for travelers, as another union, UNSA-UTCAC, is also calling for a strike on the same day. It has also filed a strike notice covering the entire month of June. The origin of these walkouts is the lack of willingness of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) to reach an agreement on the main points raised regarding the reform of air navigation services.

This situation has prompted the SNCTA to file a second strike notice, for three days, over the Ascension weekend, on Thursday May 9 (a public holiday), Friday May 10 and Saturday May 11. The organization has, in a statement, deplored the failure of the discussions "in particular on the issue of social support." It is again giving the authorities 15 days to "engage in the search for solutions" before carrying out its threat.