The Local News
Air passengers travelling to and from France faced more disruption on Monday as the second day of a French air traffic controllers strike saw more flights cancelled and delayed.
On Monday morning reports from France stated that the number of flights cancelled was worse than initially expected.
At Paris Orly airport, one of the six airports affected by the two-day air traffic controllers strike, the number of flights cancelled rose to around 33 percent. There was a similar percentage of flights cancelled at Marseille.
Initially aviation authorities had instructed airlines to cancel around 20 percent of flights at these airports.
Aéroports de Paris ✔ @AeroportsParis
#Orly Grève contrôle aérien le 21/03 33% de vols annulés. Vérifiez l'actu de votre vol avec votre Cie avant de vous rendre à l'aéroport.
2:37 AM - 21 Mar 2016
At Lyon, Nice and Beauvais airports the percentage of flights that airlines had to scrap rose to 20 percent, much higher than ion Sunday.
Flights were also delayed at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. Anyone travelling in or out of France on Monday is advised to check directly with their airlines whether their flight has been disrupted.
The link in the Ryanair tweet below contains information about the status of Ryanair flights while passengers can CLICK HERE for a link to the easyJet flight tracker.
Ryanair ✔ @Ryanair
1/2 Due to a French ATC strike, we regret a number of flights are cancelled (Monday 21 March) Further info here: http://bit.ly/22vMraW
1:55 PM - 21 Mar 2016
Ryanair ✔ @Ryanair
2/2 Further delays are likely. View live flight info: http://bit.ly/1KxDhQS . Apologies to those affected by this French ATC strike
1:56 PM - 21 Mar 2016
British Airways ✔ @British_Airways
Industrial action in France is affecting some flights today. Please check your flight status here http://ba.uk/2eSoxp [06:23 20MAR]
2:24 PM - 20 Mar 2016
Monday’s disruptions follow on from the first day of industrial action on Sunday, which saw hundreds of flights delayed or cancelled.
A huge number of flights between the UK and France were hit by the strike.
A spokesman for easyJet confirmed that 82 flights were cancelled on Sunday as a result of the strikes, including 32 scheduled to take off or land at British airports
Air traffic controllers are unhappy about the lack of resources and complain the technology they use is outdated.
Unions complain that the number of air traffic controllers is falling despite the amount of air traffic actually increasing.
They also raised the alarm bells about the outdated technology available to them that frequently breaks down and has a direct impact on security.
They call upon France’s aviation authorities at the DGAC to make the necessary investments, “that they can no longer put off”.
But airlines are fed up with the number of strikes held by French air traffic controllers and want action taken to prevent them being able to cause constant travel chaos.
Ryanair are leading the fight and are once again calling on passengers to sign a petition to help bring an end to the strikes.
Ryanair ✔ @Ryanair
Today's the 41st French ATC strike since 2009. Sign our petition & help stop these ATC strikes ruining YOUR plans http://bit.ly/1JwB7Vr
5:32 AM - 21 Mar 2016
Ryanair says that when a million people have signed the petition, named Keep Europe's Skies Open, it will be presented to the European Commission and used to pressure authorities into action.
Ryanair’s chief marketing officer, Kenny Jacobs, said previously: “It’s unacceptable that Europe’s consumers repeatedly have their holiday and travel plans disrupted or cancelled by the selfish actions of ATC unions every summer, who use strikes as a first weapon rather than a last resort.
"If the EU won’t listen to the airlines, perhaps they’ll listen to Europe’s citizens.”
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