Brussels Airlines will cancel eight return flights tomorrow due to a French air traffic controllers’ strike. Other European flights may also face delays, the airline announced on Wednesday.
The French air traffic controllers have called for a “record turnout” for the demonstration on Thursday, signalling numerous flight cancellations following failed negotiations over an air traffic control redesign.
“Due to this display of discontent, we will unfortunately have to cancel approximately eight flights tomorrow, covering various destinations in France, like Marseille, Lyon, Nice and Toulouse”, stated Brussels Airlines spokesperson Nico Cardone.
Additionally, other flights across the European network might face delays. “This includes, in particular, flights heading to Spain and Portugal which cannot utilise French airspace”, the spokesperson clarified.
Alongside the widespread strike, the main union of French air traffic controllers issued a new strike notice on Tuesday for Thursday 9 May, Friday 10 and Saturday 11, which will impact the Ascension holiday. These actions could also affect Brussels Airlines flights.
Thursday will see 75% of flights from Paris Orly cancelled and 65% of flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport grounded. Major airports across the country will see more than half of flights cancelled.
