AIRLINE FURY FOR FRENCH

Four leading airlines have gone to war with France over a wave of strikes by its air traffic controllers.

EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air and British Airways owner IAG claim the country is breaking EU law by allowing the stoppages to go ahead.

Walkouts by French air traffic controllers – mostly based in Marseille – have tripled this year.

They have already triggered thousands of cancelled flights – costing airlines tens of millions of pounds – and threaten more chaos.

The airlines have lodged a complaint with the European Commission claiming France is breaking the EU’s fundamental principle of free movement.

They say, while the air traffic controllers have the right to strike, their actions are preventing flights passing through French airspace.

Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary said the situation was “reaching meltdown”. Air traffic controller shortages have also been blamed for the disruption.