France to Face Travel Chaos as Ryanair, easyJet, and Air France Flights Might Grounded Amid Paris Charles de Gaulle and Lyon Air Traffic Control Strike in September: New Update

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Thousands of passengers are bracing for travel chaos as France’s largest air traffic control union, SNCTA, has confirmed a 24-hour strike from September 18, 2025 to September 19, 2025. The strike, involving about 60% of France’s air traffic controllers, follows a breakdown in talks with France’s Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) over labor conditions. Widespread disruptions are expected at all major French airports, including Paris Charles-de-Gaulle, as well as international flights passing through French airspace, impacting routes to the UK, Spain, Italy, and beyond. Airlines are warning travelers to stay updated as delays, cancellations, and potential rerouting could severely affect travel plans. The strike follows the chaos caused by similar July strikes, which disrupted over 1 million passengers, and has raised concerns of even greater disruption due to SNCTA’s size and influence.

As France’s largest air traffic control union, SNCTA, announces a 24-hour strike from the morning of September 18, 2025, to the end of September 19, 2025, travelers are bracing for significant disruptions across Europe. Representing around 60% of France’s air traffic controllers, the strike follows a breakdown in negotiations between the union and France’s Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) over unresolved labor conditions and staffing concerns. With French airspace being one of the busiest in Europe, this action will have a wide-reaching impact on both domestic and international flights, creating turbulence for thousands of passengers.

What’s Happening and Why?

The SNCTA union, which represents air traffic controllers across France, is planning a 24-hour strike due to a dispute with the DGAC regarding labor conditions and staffing shortages. This is not the first time air traffic controllers have taken strike action, but it is expected to cause substantial disruptions, especially as it coincides with peak travel periods.

The main reasons for the strike include the ongoing understaffing of air traffic controllers, a lack of resources, and concerns over work-life balance and pay. The union’s demands include improvements in working conditions, additional staff to reduce the workload, and more appropriate compensation for night shifts and extended hours. However, with the DGAC failing to meet these demands, the strike action will go ahead, leaving air travelers facing potential chaos in France’s airports and skies.

Which Flights Will Be Affected?

Given France’s critical position in European and international air travel, flights to, from, and over France are expected to face delays, cancellations, and rerouting during the strike. This includes both domestic flights and international routes. Some of the airlines most likely to be affected by the strike include:

• Ryanair: With its extensive network across Europe, Ryanair flights passing through or originating from French airspace are particularly vulnerable to disruption.
• easyJet: Another major European budget airline, easyJet, operates numerous routes through French airspace, especially between the UK and France, and is expected to experience delays and cancellations.
• Air France: As the country’s national carrier, Air France is set to be heavily impacted, especially for its flights in and out of Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly.
• Vueling: Serving popular routes between France and Spain, Vueling passengers will face significant delays, as many of their flights transit through French airspace.
• Volotea: As a regional airline, Volotea services will be affected, particularly flights between smaller European airports that transit through French-controlled airspace.

In addition to delays and cancellations, even overflights—flights that are not landing in France but are passing through French airspace—will likely experience delays due to airspace congestion, rerouting, and prioritization of flights.

Domestic and International Routes at Risk

The strikes will have an impact on a wide range of routes, with domestic flights and international flights both facing disruptions. For travelers flying within France, expect significant delays between major hubs like Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and Nice. Flights connecting these cities will experience delays due to a backlog of air traffic controllers handling more limited air traffic during the strike period.

For international travelers, flights between France and neighboring countries like the UK, Spain, Germany, and Italy will face substantial disruptions. In particular, flights from London to Paris, Barcelona to Paris, and Frankfurt to Paris could see major delays. Additionally, intercontinental flights passing through French airspace will also experience delays and potential rerouting.

Sources:

Euronews

Aviation Direct