French Air Traffic Controller Strike Cancels 1500 Flights, Disrupts 300000 Travelers

French air traffic controllers have launched a two-day strike protesting against staffing shortages, outdated equipment, and management issues, causing widespread disruption across the country's airports, including major hubs like Paris' Charles de Gaulle and Nice Airport. The strike has led to the cancellation of over 1,500 flights, affecting around 300,000 travelers and prompting the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) to request airlines reduce flight schedules by up to 50% in some regions. Airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet have been significantly impacted, with Ryanair canceling hundreds of flights and calling on the European Commission to intervene, while unions demand modernization and better working conditions. The transport minister has called the strikes' demands unacceptable, warning of continued delays and disruptions throughout the peak summer travel season. This industrial action has also affected flights passing through French airspace to destinations across Europe, amplifying the strike's impact beyond France. The situation highlights urgent challenges in Europe's air traffic control sector amid high summer travel demand.