French Air Traffic Strikes Disrupt Over 3,000 European Flights, Cost EasyJet £15M

EasyJet has faced significant disruption and financial impact due to strikes by French air traffic controllers in early July, which the airline blames for half of Europe's flight delays and an estimated £15-17 million loss to its profits. The strikes caused widespread cancellations and delays, affecting about 70% of EasyJet's flights, many of which either serve France or cross French airspace en route to other destinations. CEO Kenton Jarvis criticized the French government and unions for the strikes, highlighting the disproportionate impact on European air traffic and urging intervention to prevent further disruptions. Despite these challenges, EasyJet reported a strong third-quarter profit increase of £50 million, driven by robust passenger demand and improved operational performance, though its share price dipped due to concerns over ongoing air traffic disruptions and rising fuel costs. Forward bookings remain strong, with two-thirds of fourth-quarter capacity already sold, and EasyJet maintains a positive outlook for continued profit growth in fiscal year 2025. The airline continues to emphasize the importance of resolving the strike issues to sustain its recovery and customer satisfaction.