French air traffic controllers call off three-day strike

French air traffic controllers have called off a three-day strike that was set to disrupt European flights this week, a top union said on Saturday (Oct. 4).

The sector’s main union, the SNCTA, said it was suspending its planned strike from Tuesday to Thursday after discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority and reaching “agreements” with management, French news agency, Agence France-Presse (AFP), reported.

Representing about 60 per cent of employees, the union has been campaigning for improved wages and working conditions.

The announcement also mentioned an assurance from new Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu that he would not push his austerity budget through parliament without a vote — a move regarded as a major concession to the opposition.

The union said that no new strike dates are currently planned.

French air traffic controllers had initially intended to walk out in September but postponed the action to October.

In a statement, the transport ministry welcomed the decision to call off the strike, highlighting the “interests of passengers, airlines, and airports.”

"Discussions must continue in order to improve the performance of French air traffic control, which currently remains below expectations," the ministry said.

On Friday, Ryanair — Europe’s largest airline by passenger numbers — criticized air traffic control services in France, Spain, Germany, the UK, and Greece as the poorest performing in Europe.

"Their governments refuse to ensure their ATC services are properly staffed and managed," the airline said in a statement.

In early July, a separate strike by smaller air traffic control unions caused widespread disruption across Europe, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of thousands of flights at the start of the summer holiday season. The SNCTA did not take part in that action.