French Air Traffic Control Strike Set to Ground Thousands of Flights in October 2025 – What Travelers Must Know

The main French air traffic control union, SNCTA, has confirmed a strike from the morning of 7 October until the morning of 10 October 2025. This action is expected to cause widespread disruption to flights across Europe, with tens of thousands of passengers likely to see cancellations or delays.

Here is a complete breakdown of what the strike means for passengers, how it will unfold, and what rights travelers have if their journeys are disrupted.

Why French Air Traffic Controllers Are Striking

The SNCTA union has outlined a broad list of grievances. According to the union, years of “mistrust, punitive practices, and brutal managerial methods” have created deep dissatisfaction among controllers.

One of their central demands is the restoration of pay eroded by inflation. The union stresses that controllers’ wages are not paid by the French government but by airlines, and ultimately by passengers through ticket prices.

The timing of this strike is deliberate — aimed at applying pressure on the new French government. Originally planned for September, it was postponed after the collapse of the previous administration in Paris.

How Badly Will Flights Be Affected?

The scale of the disruption is uncertain, but past experience suggests it will be severe. For the postponed September strike, Ryanair warned that up to 700 flights carrying 125,000 passengers could face cancellation.

The upcoming October strike may be even more damaging, given the union involved is the largest in the sector. Budget carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet, alongside full-service airlines, are all expected to be hit.

How the Strike Will Be Managed

The process of determining cancellations is highly structured:

• 5 October: Controllers declare availability for the first strike day (7 October).
• 6 October: Availability for 8 October is confirmed.
• 7 October: Availability for 9 October is declared.
• Daily Updates: On the afternoon before each strike day, the French civil aviation authority (DGAC) tells airlines what percentage of flights must be canceled.

Because cancellations are only mandated the day before, airlines avoid cutting schedules too early, leaving passengers in limbo until the last moment.

Impact of the July 2025 Strike

The last major air traffic control strike in France, held in July 2025, was highly disruptive:

• Nearly 3,000 flights were canceled.
• Around 40,000–50,000 passengers were stranded.
• Of the flights that did operate, one in nine was delayed, with an average delay of 41 minutes.
• The overall cost to the aviation industry was estimated by Eurocontrol at €120 million (£104 million).

Given the size of SNCTA, the October strike could cause equal or greater levels of disruption.

Will Flights Outside France Be Affected?

Yes. Even if you are not flying to or from France, overflights (flights passing through French airspace) are often the most severely affected.

In July, the two airports that suffered the most disruption were Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona — both outside France.

Typical routes that rely heavily on French airspace include:

• London Gatwick to Crete
• Manchester to Palma
• Bristol to Barcelona
• Edinburgh to Faro (which skirts French-controlled Atlantic airspace)

Delays in French-controlled skies also ripple out to surrounding countries, creating a domino effect across Europe.

Passenger Rights in Case of Cancellation

Under EU air passenger rights (EC261/2004), if your flight is canceled, your airline must:

• Reroute you to your destination as soon as possible, even on another airline.
• Provide hotel accommodation and meals if you are stranded overnight.
• Reimburse reasonable expenses if you need to arrange your own food, hotels, or alternative transport.

Passengers should keep all receipts, as airlines may not always meet their obligations during mass disruptions.

Passenger Rights in Case of Delay

Rules also apply to delays:

• For short-haul flights (under 1,500km), refreshments must be provided if the delay exceeds two hours.
• For longer flights, the threshold rises to three hours.

In practice, airlines often board passengers and hold them on planes during strikes, hoping for an earlier departure slot.

Airlines’ Frustration with the EU

Airlines are openly critical of the EU’s handling of repeated ATC strikes. Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, has called for protection of overflights during national strikes.

He accused EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of failing passengers, saying: “Passengers flying from London to Rome or Brussels to Madrid shouldn’t be held hostage every time there’s a national ATC strike.”

What Passengers Should Expect in October

If the strike goes ahead:

• Expect widespread cancellations and last-minute announcements.
• Be prepared for delays even if your route does not touch France directly.
• Have backup plans for accommodation and travel in case your flight is canceled.
• Use official airline apps and Eurocontrol updates to monitor flight status.

FAQs: French ATC Strike October 2025

1. When is the French ATC strike scheduled?
From the morning of 7 October until the morning of 10 October 2025.

2. Which union is leading the strike?
The SNCTA, the largest air traffic controllers’ union in France.

3. Will flights outside France be affected?
Yes. Overflights through French airspace are often the most impacted, with delays spreading to Spain, Italy, and beyond.

4. What are my rights if my flight is canceled?
Airlines must reroute you as soon as possible, provide hotels and meals if needed, and reimburse extra expenses — even if the strike is outside their control.

5. How can passengers prepare?
Check flight status regularly, keep receipts for any expenses, and be ready with contingency plans for accommodation and alternative routes.