Paris-Orly Air Traffic Overhaul Sparks Major Weekend Strike
A significant number of flights at Paris-Orly Airport will be canceled this weekend due to a strike called by one of the leading air traffic controllers' unions. The General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) confirmed that 70% of flights at Paris-Orly Airport on both Saturday and Sunday would be grounded. This drastic action is being taken to demand 'adequate staffing,' which the Union Unsa-Icna claims is not ensured by a recent DGAC agreement.
The Union asserts that management is engaging in 'stinginess and apothecary calculations' that will soon lead to understaffing issues. An Unsa-Icna leaflet expressed concerns that by 2027, staffing levels would not be sufficient to guarantee safe working conditions, explicitly for air navigation control engineers. The last-minute agreement from late April between the DGAC and the primary controllers' union, SNCTA, which clinched 60% of the votes in the last professional elections, did not address the impending personnel shortages.
Broader Impact on European Flights
In addition to disruptions at Paris-Orly, previous similar movements resulted in the cancellation of several thousand flights across France and Europe. In defiance of the recent agreement, Unsa-Icna, which secured 17% of the votes in the last election, and Usac-CGT, which holds 16%, have maintained tight strike notices. The Usac-CGT union has also called for a strike from May 23 to May 30, protesting against the weakening of the 'territorial network' caused by the reform in air traffic control.
Future Implications for French Air Traffic Control
The ongoing disputes highlight critical issues that France's civil aviation faces, especially concerning staffing and working conditions. Unions like Unsa-Icna and Usac-CGT argue that without sufficient staffing, the efficiency and safety of air traffic control operations will be compromised. In light of these challenges, passengers and airlines alike are bracing for significant disruptions as negotiations between unions and the DGAC continue.
- The DGAC has yet to provide further details on how the strike will impact the flight programs at Paris-Orly Airport. The ongoing discord between the DGAC and unions underscores the necessity for improved dialogue and more robust agreements to ensure the stability and safety of France's air traffic system in the coming years.
- Travelers planning to fly through Paris-Orly this weekend are advised to check the status of their flights in advance and make alternative arrangements where possible. The growing tension between air traffic control unions and management could portend further disruptions if their demands remain unmet.
