Air Traffic Chaos in Southeastern France Following Lightning Strike
Air traffic in southeastern France faced significant disruptions on Tuesday due to a radio antenna failure caused by a lightning strike. The incident led to widespread cancellations and delays at major airports including Nice and Corsica, as reported by the Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC). The DGAC announced that flight schedules were severely impacted, urging passengers to check with their airlines for updates on their travel plans.
The situation began around 12:30 p.m. and persisted until approximately 4 p.m., with the DGAC confirming that the equipment was repaired and the signal restored by mid-afternoon. However, significant delays remained, with some flights experiencing wait times of nearly two hours. In Nice, 13 flights were cancelled and 81 were delayed, representing a staggering 57% of flights during the affected time period. Similarly, in Marseille, twelve flights were cancelled, primarily by Ryanair, with additional delays reported.
Despite the antenna failure, landing operations continued, but take-offs and traffic management were complicated, particularly in Nice and Corsica. The DGAC advised that planes either reroute to Italy or fly at lower altitudes to alleviate congestion. Ultimately, the decision to cancel flights rested with the airlines, depending on their assessment of the delays.
Recovery Efforts Underway as Flight Operations Resume
As of Tuesday afternoon, the DGAC indicated that operations were gradually returning to normal following the repairs. While many flights remained delayed, the situation was improving. Passengers were encouraged to remain in contact with their airlines for the latest information regarding their flights. In Corsica, five flights were cancelled at Ajaccio airport, along with additional cancellations and delays at Bastia and Figari airports. The DGAC continues to monitor the situation closely and is working to ensure that air traffic returns to its regular schedule as soon as possible.
