While travellers planning on taking the plane during September 2025 can be relieved, those who were planning a trip in October should be aware of the possible impact of the strike on their journey.
Initially, France’s main air traffic control union SNCTA (representing 70% of France’s air traffic controllers) had scheduled a strike on Thursday, 18 and Friday, 19 September 2025. However, the collapse of the French government of Francois Bayrou during a confidence vote in parliament means the plans have changed.
BREAKING:
— Mega Geopolitics (@MegaGeopolitics) September 8, 2025
🇫🇷 France government has collapsed
France's PM, Francois Bayrou, loses confidence vote 364 – 194 and must now resign his minority government — Sky pic.twitter.com/TbSHOKtE7I
“The absence of a minister of transport currently makes it impossible to achieve demands at the ministerial level”, the SNCTA said in a statement. The union is asking for wages to be adjusted for inflation, while also demanding a profound change in the management of operations.
The union is now planning a strike from the morning of Tuesday, 7 October to the morning of Friday, 10 October 2025, in order to articulate its grievances, while giving the new government some time to consider its demands. According to the SNCTA, the governance of air traffic control has been characterised by mistrust, punitive practices, and brutal managerial methods for years. The strike is a direct response from the SNCTA to a failed dialogue with France’s Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC).
Read our latest travel advice for #France for updated information about strikes and demonstrations due to take place across France: https://t.co/a4q2DzNZFu pic.twitter.com/yISpqd8zuP
— FCDO Travel Advice (@FCDOtravelGovUK) September 11, 2025
Impact on air traffic
When the strike eventually takes place, it is thought to have a major impact on air traffic throughout Europe. According to The Independent, one out of three European flights is routed to, from, or over France. Ryanair’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary, already asked the European Commission to take action.
“The French can go on strike, but Europe must protect overflights”, Michael O’Leary stated.
When two of France’s smaller air traffic control unions organised a strike for two days in July, approximately 3,000 flights were cancelled and many others were severely delayed. According to Eurocontrol, Europe’s aviation coordinator, the strike cost the aviation industry some €120 million in lost revenue and expenditure. The airports most impacted by the strike were Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona in Spain.
French Air Traffic Control Strikes…
— Ryanair (@Ryanair) July 3, 2025
❌ 400+ flights cancelled
❌ 70K+ passengers affected
❌ Zero action from EU Commission
Full story in comments pic.twitter.com/sAlLHojVIL
While the SNCTA no longer plans a strike on 18 and 19 September, smaller unions could decide to do otherwise, resulting in disrupted flight traffic after all. Many French organisations have already called for a second ‘block everything’ general strike on 18 September, similar to the one of 10 September 2025, and its consequences could be felt by travellers.
