French strike to hit air passengers

AIRLINE passengers face major disruption next week due to another strike by French air traffic controllers (ATCs).

Controllers in Brest, Aixen-Provence and Bordeaux have called a fiveday strike from Monday.

There is a separate call to strike on Tuesday by Air France workers.

EasyJet has cancelled 38 flights on Monday, including four which were due to go from or to the UK.

The Luton-based carrier expects other flights to be delayed.

Ryanair said the level of disruption expected was unclear and it will contact all affected passengers if it is forced to reschedule or cancel any flights.

British Airways was not immediately able to comment on what impact the industrial action will have on its passengers.

Lobby group Airlines for Europe (A4E), which represents airlines such as easyJet, Ryanair and British Airways’ parent company IAG, says 2016 was a record year for ATC strikes with 41 days affected.

This means more than 35,000 flights have been cancelled due to strikes since 2010.

A4E has called for the European Commission and governments to take action to reduce the impact of ATC strikes. It wants neighbouring countries to be allowed to carry out ATC in airspace affected by industrial disputes.