Air France Strikes 2024 & Other Air Strikes in France 2024 – Dates, Info & Best Tips

Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France
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1. Air France Strike Dates 2024 & Other French Airlines Strike Dates 2024

» Air France Strike Dates 2024:

Air France flights will be affected by the air traffic controllers’ strike on 25 April 2024. Air France has not yet communicated about its canceled flights.

Commercial measures are already in place, allowing for an advance or postponement of the trip free of charge.

Air France passengers whose flights are canceled are usually notified in advance by SMS. Otherwise, check the Aéroports de Paris website and use the search engine to find your flight.

Customers whose flight is canceled can change their trip free of charge or request a credit note or a full refund in the event that they no longer travel.

Air France flights will surely be affected by the air traffic controllers’ strike on 9, 10, and 11 May 2024. Air France has not yet communicated about its canceled flights.

» Other French Airlines Strike Dates 2024:

Strike by flight attendants and stewards in France from 15 to 16 April 2024. Commercial cabin crew (PNC – flight attendants and stewards) in France, represented by the Syndicat National du Personnel Navigant Commercial (SNPNC-FO), will be on strike to denounce a bill aimed at restricting the right to strike in the airline sector to periods fixed by decree and to a total of 60 days per year.

Flights by French airlines may be impacted during the strike (delays, cancellations). Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight with their airline or on the airport website.

Update: this strike is canceled.

2. French Air Traffic Control Strike Dates 2024

1. Strike by air controllers in France on 25 April 2024. The main air traffic controllers’ union, the SNCTA, has filed a strike notice for Thursday, April 25, to denounce a new version, according to them, “unacceptable,” of a protocol currently being negotiated aimed at restructuring air navigation services. This strike by SNCTA is supported by the UNSA-UTCAC.

“The version published (by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, DGAC) is in no way signable for the SNCTA, which considers it a provocation if not an insult,” indicates the union on its website. The organization, which represents 60% of the votes among the controllers, also indicates in a press release that it has refused to participate in a meeting called “urgently” by the DGAC on Wednesday afternoon.

Update 22 April 2024: According to an initial estimate provided to airlines, up to 70% of the day’s flights could be canceled at major airports. The Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) will communicate more precise figures on Tuesday, 23 April 2024, as strikers have until that date to send their individual declarations.

Update 23 April 2024, 6:30 p.m.: While a massive strike has been announced for Thursday, 25 April 2025 (the details have not been published yet), the majority union of air traffic controllers has filed a new strike notice today for the Ascension weekend (9, 10, and 11 May 2024). The National Union of Air Traffic Controllers (SNCTA) contests the overhaul of air traffic control in France and asks for compensation measures and wage increases.

Update 23 April 2024, 10:20 p.m: here’s the impact of the air controllers’ strike on 25 April 2024:

• 75% of flights to /from Paris Orly Airport (ORY) will be canceled
• 65% of flights to /from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) will be canceled
• 65% of flights to /from Marseille Airport (MRS) will be canceled
• 70% of flights to /from Nice Airport (NCE) will be canceled
• 60% of flights to /from Toulouse Airport (TLS) will be canceled
• On average, 60% of flights to /from the rest of French airports will be canceled.

Update 24 April 2024, 5:40 p.m: The majority union of French air traffic controllers announced on Wednesday, 24 April, the lifting of its strike notice for Thursday 25 April 2024. The SNCTA organization found a last-minute agreement with the Direction Générale d’Aviation Civile (DGAC). Despite this last-minute agreement, the flight schedule in the French airports will be reduced on 25 April 2024:

• 75% of flights to /from Paris Orly Airport (ORY) will be canceled
• 65% 55% of flights to /from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) will be canceled
• 65% of flights to /from Marseille Airport (MRS) will be canceled
• 70% 45% of flights to /from Nice Airport (NCE) will be canceled
• 60% 45% of flights to /from Toulouse Airport (TLS) will be canceled
• On average, 60% 45% of flights to /from the rest of French airports will be canceled.

Check out chapter #3 for what to do during a strike by air controllers in France.

Please note that Air Controllers’ strikes in France also affect flights crossing French airspace even if they are not flying from /to France. Due to the reduced number of planes that could be handled by the limited number of French air traffic controllers, any flight crossing French airspace might be delayed or re-routed.

3. French Airports Strike Dates 2024

» French Airports Strike Dates 2024:

Nothing to report at this moment.

If you have a flight from /to any of the Paris airports, check out the flight status on the website of your air company and arrive at the airport 3 hours before your flight for long-haul flights and 2 hours before a domestic flight.

4. What To Do if Air France is on Strike

GOOD TO KNOW: Many Air France flights operate on a share code with KLM, Delta,…). Air France flights operated by an aircraft and a crew other than Air France might not be affected by this strike.

On the other hand, if one of these other companies (KLM, Delta…) is operating on a share code with Air France and using an Air France crew or an Air France aircraft, these flights could be impacted. We recommend checking their websites and considering the re-booking options they offer if your flight is affected.

If there’s an Air France Strike, the first thing that you should check is who operates your flight. You will find all this information (flight operated by XX) on your e-ticket.

a. You have not booked your flight to France with Air France yet

» Be flexible with your travel dates. If you were considering flying to Paris with Air France but have not booked your flights yet, avoid traveling to Paris during the Air France strike dates.

» Consider other air companies, French companies, or companies from other nationalities to avoid eventual delays or cancellations – Click here to browse other air companies flying to France

» Consider other means of transportation (if possible). Are you traveling to France from a neighboring country? Consider other transportation options like trains, buses, or shared cars.

The train, for example, is the best way to get around France, and there are many good international train connections with countries like Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain – Click here to browse train companies traveling to France

b. You have booked your flight to France with Air France

When an issue could affect Air France’s flights, there is usually a warning on the top of the Air France website (Flash news). Click on this ‘Air France news’ to read about the Air France strike.

» Check your Air France flight status. Take your e-ticket and look for your flight number (e.g., AF1234). To see if your Air France flight is affected by the Air France strike, introduce your flight number and travel date on this page and click “Search.” The system will tell you immediately if your flight is delayed or canceled.

» Different options. You can easily anticipate, postpone, and cancel your trip online during Air France strikes or France air strikes followed by Air France. With Air France, you can even change your origin or destination. If you decide to do this, you will get a voucher valid for one year that can be used on Air France or KLM flights.

Check all the possible options during Air France strikes here.

c. Air France Flight Cancellation Compensation

Flight delays happen, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept them. If your flight to /from France is delayed more than three hours, you may be entitled to as much as $700 if your flight has been delayed, canceled, or overbooked within the last three years.

5. What to Do if There’s a French Air Traffic Control Strike

France is the country with the highest number of air traffic control strikes in the last five years, with 95 days of strikes between 2010 and 2015. These are the worst transportation strikes in France, with hundreds of flights from /to France delayed or canceled. Air France’s flights from /to France will be affected if there’s a French Air Traffic Control strike.

a. You have not booked your flight to France yet

» Consider other means of transportation (if possible). Are you traveling to France from a neighboring country when French air strikes are planned? Consider other transportation options like trains, buses, or shared cars.

b. You have booked your flight to France

Airlines should individually warn travelers whose flight is impacted by a social movement. You can also check the status of your flight on the company’s website.

» Follow the strike updates. We recommend following this post on Air France strikes and Air strikes in France. You can also check your Air France flight status on the website and consider their proposed options to change /refund your tickets.

6. What To Do if There’s a French Airport Strike

In case of a French Airport strike, flight schedules could be affected depending on the service on strike –airport workers, customs agents, or luggage handlers. Generally, you should expect disruptions or more extended delays on everything.

If there is a strike at the French airport of your departure, we recommend arriving at the airport well in advance. Check in online at home or in the hotel, and, if possible, travel only with hand luggage.

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