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French air traffic controllers have called off a planned three-day strike that could have disrupted flights across Europe next week, the main union announced on Saturday.
The SNCTA, which represents roughly 60 per cent of controllers, said it was suspending its strike notice for Tuesday to Thursday after consultations with the Civil Aviation Authority and “agreements” with management.
The union has long campaigned for improved pay and working conditions.
The announcement also referenced a pledge by newly appointed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu not to push through his austerity budget without parliamentary approval, seen as a significant concession to the opposition.
The SNCTA said progress had been made on internal matters and that discussions with all parties involved had been “calm,” without providing further details. “No new strike notice date is planned,” the union added.
Controllers had initially planned industrial action in September, later postponing it to October, citing “mistrust, punitive practices and humiliating management methods,” alongside calls for pay adjustments to reflect inflation.
The transport ministry welcomed the union’s decision, highlighting the importance of safeguarding passengers, airlines, and airports.
“Discussions must continue to improve the performance of French air traffic control, which currently remains below expectations,” the ministry said.
Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline by passenger numbers, criticised air traffic control services in France, Spain, Germany, the UK, and Greece on Friday, claiming they were the “worst-performing in Europe” due to inadequate staffing and management.
Earlier in July, French air traffic controllers staged a strike that caused widespread disruption, cancelling hundreds of thousands of flights across Europe at the start of the summer holidays. That action was led by smaller unions, while the SNCTA did not participate.
