schedules, cancellations, bridge of ascension… what to expect? – Liberation

Thursday promises to be dark in terms of takeoffs and landings: more than two-thirds of flights could be canceled at certain airports. Talks with the government and the Directorate-General for Civil Aviation (DGAC) to avoid a strike by French air traffic controllers have broken down, their main union said on Monday, predicting “record mobilization” this Thursday, April 25, staff synonymous with numerous flight cancellations. The mobilization will begin on Thursday at 6 am and end on Friday at 6 am.

Contacted Let goThe National Union of Air Traffic Controllers (SNCTA) ensures that the number of strikers among controllers “about 100%”, while agents had until noon on Tuesday to announce whether or not they are on strike, the result of a reform that came into effect at the end of December. However, not all flights will be delayed or canceled because controllers have a minimum service obligation, which deprives some of them of the right to strike.

If SNCTA is unable to communicate the number of affected flights, the National Federation of Aviation and Trades (Fnam) is talking about the numbers to “75% of flights canceled at Orly and 65% at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle”. The General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC), which regulates air traffic, confirms that 75 percent of flights will be canceled from Orly airport, 65 percent at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Marseille airports, and 60 percent at Toulouse-Lippe. “Despite these preventive measures, disruptions and delays are expected”, emphasizes DGAC in the press release. These cancellations will affect tens, if not hundreds of thousands of passengers, and are expected to cost airlines and airports tens of millions of euros.

New organization of the controller’s work

SNCTA and other unions representing air traffic controllers have called for a strike to protest the administration’s air traffic control overhaul project. In the negotiations, which began fifteen months ago, it is planned to reorganize the air traffic control organization in France, to reorganize the work of controllers to cope with the announced increase in air traffic in exchange for increases in compensation and employment.

“We are not so much disputing the reforms, even if they are extensive, as the social support which is largely insufficientensures Libé national secretary of the union of air traffic controllers. Given that air traffic is expected to increase by 20 to 30% by 2030, a net salary increase of 5% per year is required in the period 2023-2027. Contrary to popular belief, this will not cost the government a penny as we are paid by the airline.”

A new threat on May 9, 10 and 11

On the part of the National Aviation Federation, we are already concerned that this increase will affect the price of tickets. At SNCTA, we defend ourselves by assuring that the increase will cost passengers only a few cents per ticket and that the fee is in France “the cheapest in Europe”.

Thursday’s strike cannot be renewed and will end at 6am on Friday morning. On the other hand, the Union of Air Traffic Controllers has already announced a new three-day strike, May 9, 10 and 11. In the middle of the Ascension Bridge, avoiding Wednesday 8, the day of departure and Sunday 12, the day of return. The goal, we explain: “Leave fifteen days between two strikes so that they can negotiate again. From now on, the ball is in the court of the government and the DGAC.”

Another air traffic controller union, Unsa ICNA, which is also calling for a strike on Thursday, has for its part submitted a new notice covering the whole of June. The prospect of social movements undermines the Olympic truce of the main unions, which pledged in September 2023 not to strike over pay between now and the end of the Olympics (July 26 to August 11) and Paralympics (August 28 to September 8). ).

Update Wednesday, April 24 at 10:15 a.m.: Addendum to strike notice for June.