Air traffic controllers strike: 30% of flights canceled Monday at Paris-Orly and 50% in Brest

The standoff continues. The General Directorate of Civil Aviation asked airlines on Thursday to cancel 30% of their flights at Paris-Orly airport and 50% at Brest on Monday due to a social movement by air traffic controllers. “Despite these preventive measures, disruptions and delays are nevertheless to be expected,” indicates the DGAC in a press release, inviting “passengers who can to postpone their trip”.

Several union organizations have filed strike notices concerning the staff of the air navigation en route center (CRNA) North, which manages the trajectories of aircraft flying over the territory. Notices concern the approach control centers of Paris-Orly, Lyon, Lille, Brest, Rouen, Poitiers and Saint-Yan, specifies the DGAC.

Civil aviation, to “limit traffic disruptions”, “will apply the minimum service provisions” where “regulations permit”, i.e. CRNA-Nord, Paris-Orly, Lyon and Poitiers . “In addition, the DGAC has asked airlines to reduce their flight programs for this day of December 18, 2023 by 30% at Paris-Orly airport and by 50% at Brest airport,” explains the DGAC. .

The USAC-CGT called a strike on Monday “to defend our territorial coverage and our minimum service.” A previous social movement by air traffic controllers on November 20 had already caused significant delays for travelers. Air traffic controllers are particularly up in arms against a reform of their right to strike.

The reform plans to oblige air traffic controllers to individually declare themselves on strike or not 48 hours in advance, as is already the case at the RATP or the SNCF. Air traffic was regularly disrupted by strikes by air traffic controllers at the start of the year, during the pensions conflict. At the beginning of February, Orly was paralyzed by a surprise movement, sparking calls from political leaders to reform the framework for controllers' right to strike.