Ryanair Cancels 400+ Flights Over France Air Traffic Control Strike Affecting 70,000 Passengers

A nationwide strike by French air traffic controllers has caused widespread disruption across France and affected flights over French airspace, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights during one of Europe's busiest travel periods. Ryanair alone canceled over 400 flights, impacting more than 70,000 passengers, with cancellations extending to flights connecting the UK, Greece, Spain, and Ireland. The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) requested airlines to reduce flight capacity by significant percentages at major airports, including Paris Charles de Gaulle, Orly, Nice, Bastia, and others, as a preventative measure. The strike, driven by unions protesting understaffing, poor working conditions, and increased monitoring reforms, has led to rerouted flights and anticipated delays across multiple countries. Airlines like easyJet, Aer Lingus, and Air France also faced cancellations, with Aer Lingus deploying larger aircraft on operating routes to mitigate capacity issues. Ryanair has called on the European Commission to reform air traffic control services, criticizing the impact of the strike on European families' travel plans.