British holidaymakers face Easter travel chaos with strikes by French air controllers

Planned walkouts by air traffic controllers in France could mean Easter travel chaos for UK holidaymakers next month.

Air passengers are slated for a ‘very difficult summer’, according to the chiefs of Europe’s biggest carriers, as a result of industrial action.

Ryanair cancelled 230 flights last month because of ongoing strikes in France. The airline struck out 60 flights yesterday and will do the same for another 60 today, The Times reports.

Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary said it was a ‘scandal’ that French strikes had blocked many flights over France’s airspace, disrupting services between the busy tourist market of Britain and Spain.

Elsewhere, Heathrow Airport faces a walkout of 1,400 members of the unite union tomorrow in a dispute over pay – with many vowing not to return to work until April 9 despite a ten per cent pay rise offer. 

Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary said it was a ‘scandal’ that French strikes had blocked many flights over France’s airspace, disrupting services between the busy tourist market of Britain and Spain

Mr O’Leary said: ‘It is difficult to explain to passengers in the UK, Ireland and Spain that their flights are cancelled because of a few air traffic controllers in France walking out, even though their flight is not landing in France.’

Easyjet boss Johan Lundgren said that problems outside the firm’s control, including strikes, were ‘a huge challenge’.

In France, air traffic controllers can retire at 57 and are exempt from Macron’s plans to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. But many are walking out ‘in solidarity’ with other sectors.

Airlines have to compensate passengers for long delays or cancellations under European passenger laws but are unable to recover penalties from air traffic authorities when airspace is blocked.

Tension between airlines and French controllers has been a recurring issue but escalated this year as the controllers joined strikes over planned changes to the retirement age.

Mr O’Leary said airports were better prepared for delays this summer after widespread chaos last year but that he expected further air traffic control problems in coming months.

Earlier this week, it was reported Heathrow Airport will deploy 1,000 additional staff and its entire management team to try and stop strike delays causing travel chaos over Easter. 

More than 1,400 members of the Unite union will walk out on Friday in a dispute over pay and will not return to work until Sunday April 9, despite a pay rise offer of 10 per cent from the airport. 

Holidaymakers face severe disruption to their getaway plans if flying from Terminal 5, although the airport has said delays will be ‘well managed’. 

Heathrow will deploy 1,000 extra staff during the 10-day strike, including the airport’s management team, to try and reduce delays (file image) 

The airport strike comes as panicked Brits race to renew their passports amid fears of delays as more than 1,000 Passport Office workers plan to participate in a five-week strike from Easter (File image)

British Airways has cancelled 16 return short-haul flights for each day of the strike – more than 300 flights in total – to reduce passenger numbers.  

The strikes are the latest in a series of blows for those seeking the sun over the spring break, as more than 1,000 Passport Office workers also plan to participate in a five-week strike from Easter.  

A Heathrow spokesman said: ‘We will not let these unnecessary strikes impact the hard-earned holidays of our passengers.

‘Our contingency plans will keep the airport operating as normal throughout.

‘We are deploying 1,000 additional colleagues and the entire management team, who will be in the terminals providing assistance to passengers over the busy Easter getaway.

‘As at any busy time, it may take a little longer than usual to get through security, but this will be well-managed and kept flowing.

‘Passengers can help us ensure they get the best start to their journeys by checking their flight status with their airline before travelling to the airport, arriving at Heathrow no earlier than two hours before short-haul flights and three hours before long-haul flights, and by being ready for security with their compliant liquids and electronics out of their hand luggage.’

A BA spokesperson said: ‘Following Heathrow’s requirement for us to reduce the number of passengers travelling during the period of its employees’ proposed strike action, we’ve regrettably had to make a small number of adjustments to our schedule. Our teams are continuing to work closely with Heathrow to ensure that our customers’ journeys run smoothly.’

While other flight carriers will also be affected, BA uses Terminal Five, where the strikes are mainly located, exclusively. 

Passengers will be able to check in their hand luggage free of charge to help ease security queues. 

Most of those affected by the cancellation should be able to travel within 24 hours of their original flight.  

Other staff on strike work in campus security, checking luggage from all terminals, which could cause delays on other flights. 

Other flight companies have also been asked by the airport to reduce ticket sales, despite the strikes coming at one of the busiest travel periods of the year. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said previously that:  ‘Workers at Heathrow Airport are on poverty wages while the chief executive and senior managers enjoy huge salaries. 

‘It is the airport’s workers who are fundamental to its success and they deserve a fair pay increase.

‘Our members are simply unable to make ends meet due to the low wages paid by Heathrow. They are being forced to take strike action due to need not greed,’ said Ms Graham.

‘Unite has a laser-like focus on prioritising the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and HAL needs to be in no doubt that the workers at the airport will receive the union’s unstinting support.’