Why is Ryanair warning 100,000 travelers about French ATC strike?

Europe's largest airline, Ryanair, recently issued a major warning. Chief Executive Officer Michael O’Leary cautioned passengers about upcoming French air traffic control (ATC) strikes. The industrial action threatened to cause widespread flight cancellations. This potential disruption could have impacted up to 100,000 Ryanair passengers alone.

Strike Action Called Off

The planned strike action was scheduled for October 7-9, 2025. It was organized by the Syndicat national des contrôleurs du trafic aérien (SNCTA) union. However, the union called off the strike just days before it was set to begin. This cancellation followed an agreement reached with the Direction générale de l'aviation civile (DGAC). Ryanair confirmed its flight schedule would operate as normal. This news spared thousands of travelers from major delays and cancellations.

Potential Impact on European Airspace

Before the cancellation, the airline estimated up to 600 flights per day would be affected. This three-day disruption was expected to cost Ryanair around €23 million. The impact extends far beyond flights to and from France. French airspace is a critical hub for European air traffic. Approximately 60% of flights passing through French airspace are "overflights." These flights simply pass over the country without landing. ATC strikes often force the cancellation or rerouting of these overflights. This causes significant delays across the entire continent.

Call for EU Reform

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary used the strike threat to renew his criticism of the European Union. He called for the European Commission to protect overflights during national strikes. O'Leary argues that disrupting overflights violates the EU's single market principles. He suggests that only flights arriving in or departing from France should be canceled.

Previous industrial action highlights the severity of the issue. A July 2025 strike caused approximately 3,000 flight cancellations across Europe. That action affected more than one million passengers across the network. Eurocontrol, the European air traffic management organization, estimated the cost at £104 million.

Ryanair has also published internal data on flight delays. French controllers were responsible for 57,000 Ryanair flight delays since January. This figure represents a 66% increase compared to the previous year. Ryanair continues to urge the European Commission to implement reforms. These reforms include ensuring full staffing for morning flights. They also demand protection for flights passing through French airspace.

Industry Outlook

While the October strike was averted, the underlying issues remain. Other airlines, including easyJet, have also warned of significant disruption. They have joined the call for greater resilience in the French ATC system. Repeated strikes create uncertainty for millions of European travelers. Airlines 4 Europe (A4E) has repeatedly called for EU action. They seek to allow Eurocontrol to manage upper airspace during national strikes. This ongoing dispute highlights the need for a unified European air traffic solution.