Strikes Disrupt All Flights at Beauvais Airport on June 6
On Thursday, June 6, a strike by air traffic controllers led to the cancellation of all scheduled flights at Beauvais airport, located in Oise, France. The General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) announced that both departures and arrivals would be affected due to the social movement. Passengers were advised to contact their airline to learn more about the status of their flights and potential rescheduling options.
Beauvais airport echoed the DGAC's warning, highlighting 'very serious disruptions' and urging travelers to verify flight statuses with their respective airlines. Their commercial department confirmed to France 3 Hauts-de-France that the control tower would be closed and that no takeoffs or landings would occur that day. Approximately 60 round trips were canceled.
Ryanair, a major airline operating at Beauvais, issued an apology to passengers, stating that all its flights to and from the airport on June 6 had been canceled. The airline informed affected passengers via email about their options for rebooking or refunds. This disruption follows a series of strikes by French air traffic controllers who are protesting against an agreement between the DGAC and the SNCTA, the leading union of controllers. The agreement, signed at the end of April, includes various measures to overhaul air traffic control in France.
Adding to the complexity, Unsa-Icna, another significant air traffic controllers' union, filed a new strike notice for June 11-13 at Orly airport. The SNCTA, however, has disassociated itself from these notices, labeling them as isolated actions by a few.
- This is not the first time French air traffic controller strikes have severely impacted air travel. On April 25, Beauvais airport experienced fewer disruptions, maintaining only eight flights despite the strike. The ongoing disputes underscore the contentious relationship between French air traffic controllers and the governing bodies, which passengers find increasingly disruptive. The control tower's closure at Beauvais on June 6 marks a significant escalation in these industrial actions.
