French air traffic controllers strike causes travel misery for passengers as BA, Ryanair and EasyJet

AIRLINE passengers are facing travel misery after a strike by French air traffic controllers (ATCs) caused chaos in Europe today.

EasyJet, Ryanair and British Airways have all cancelled flights as control tower workers began five days of industrial action.

Lobby group Airlines for Europe (A4E) warned that more than 1,000 flights are expected to be called off this week after carriers were asked to trim down their services by 25 per cent.

And it is not just flights to and from France which are being hit.

Any planes travelling through French airspace are liable to be effected – including UK flights to and from Italy, Switzerland and Spain.

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EasyJet cancelled 38 flights today, including four which were due to go from or to the UK.

Ryanair said it was forced to call off 45 flights which were due to operate to, from or over France.

And British Airways cancelled a number of flights, adding it was using larger aircraft where possible to help customers reach their destination.

All three airlines warned passengers to expect delays to flights which were still operating.

Outraged passengers took to social media to vent their frustration.

One Twitter user wrote: “Apparently there is an air controllers strike in France. Stuck inside the plane at Gatwick, waiting to depart.”

Another tweeted: “#shock Air traffic control on strike in France.  Seriously you guys aren't doing your cause any favours.  Just annoying people #getoverit”

And a third wrote: “Lazy ATC always on strike!”

A4E says 2016 was a record year for ATC strikes, with 41 days affected – meaning more than 35,000 flights have been cancelled due to strikes since 2010.

The group has called for the European Commission and governments to take action to reduce the impact of ATC strikes.

An EasyJet spokeswoman said: "EasyJet is disappointed at this unnecessary strike action causing further disruption for passengers and airlines across Europe.

"As a member of Airlines for Europe, we are working with other airlines to call on governments and the EU to develop an action plan to minimise the impact of ATC strikes on passengers."

Ryanair's chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs said: "We call on the French government and European Commission to take immediate action to prevent thousands of European consumers from having their travel plans disrupted by a tiny group of ATC unions going on strike.

"They cannot stand idly by and allow another summer of disruption and travel misery for European consumers to take place."

Brest and Bordeaux control centres are striking until 7pm on Friday, with action in the south of France running from 5am on Tuesday until 5am on Friday.

And there is a separate call to strike on Tuesday by Air France workers.

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