British holidaymakers face Easter travel chaos with strikes by French air ... trends now
Planned walkouts by air traffic controllers in France could mean Easter travel chaos for UK holidaymakers next month.
Air passengers are slated for a 'very difficult summer', according to the chiefs of Europe's biggest carriers, as a result of industrial action.
Ryanair cancelled 230 flights last month because of ongoing strikes in France. The airline struck out 60 flights yesterday and will do the same for another 60 today, The Times reports.
Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said it was a 'scandal' that French strikes had blocked many flights over France's airspace, disrupting services between the busy tourist market of Britain and Spain.
Elsewhere, Heathrow Airport faces a walkout of 1,400 members of the unite union tomorrow in a dispute over pay - with many vowing not to return to work until April 9 despite a ten per cent pay rise offer.
Ryanair cancelled 230 flights last month because of ongoing strikes in France, with 60 axed yesterday and a further 60 today
Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said it was a 'scandal' that French strikes had blocked many flights over France's airspace, disrupting services between the busy tourist market of Britain and Spain
Mr O'Leary said: 'It is difficult to explain to passengers in the UK, Ireland and Spain that their flights are cancelled because of a few air traffic controllers in France walking out, even though their flight is not landing in France.'
Easyjet boss Johan Lundgren said that problems outside the firm's control, including strikes, were 'a huge challenge'.
In France, air traffic controllers can retire at 57 and are exempt from Macron's plans to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. But many are walking out 'in solidarity' with other sectors.
Airlines have to compensate passengers for long delays or cancellations under European passenger laws but are unable to recover penalties from air traffic authorities when airspace is blocked.
Tension between airlines and French controllers has been a recurring issue but escalated this year as the controllers joined strikes over planned changes to the retirement age.
Mr O'Leary said airports were better prepared for delays this summer after widespread chaos last year but that he expected further air traffic control problems in coming months.
Earlier this week, it was reported Heathrow Airport will deploy 1,000 additional staff and its entire management team to try and stop strike delays causing travel chaos over Easter.
More than 1,400 members of the Unite union will walk out on Friday in a dispute over pay and will not return to work until Sunday April 9, despite a pay rise offer of 10 per cent from the airport.
Holidaymakers face severe disruption to their getaway plans if
