Updated on 2 July at 8.30pm
The conciliation attempt, led by the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) on 25 Junewas therefore unsuccessful. The call for strike action on 3 and 4 July by the UNSA-ICNA union, the second largest among air traffic controllers, was even joined by another minority union of air traffic controllers, the USAC-CGT. " The time has come to giving controllers back their voice. The notices are piling up, proof that the malaise runs deep "notes the UNSA-ICNA national office in a press release.
Authoritarian management style, understaffing, too slow modernisation of the tools available to controllers: the grievances raised are numerous. According to the DGAC, these demands concern attendance control, remuneration and recruitment. For its part, the DGAC has put forward salary increases through a social agreement in 2024, as well as measures imposed by current regulations or following the recommendations of the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses following a serious incident. While acknowledging a situation of chronic understaffing, which a recruitment plan " ambitious "should improve.
The result of this conflict a strike that will be very well attended in these days of holiday departures, particularly in the south of France where the UNSA-ICNA is well established, but also in Paris. For the day of Thursday 3 July, the DGAC has asked airlines to reduce their flight schedules by 50% at Nice, Bastia and Calvi airports and 30% at Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Ajaccio and Figari. For Paris airports, the reduction will be from 25% at Paris-Charles-De Gaulle, Orly and Beauvais.
For 4 July, the adjustments requested are even greater. The DGAC has asked the airlines to reduce their flight schedules for Friday by 50% at Nice, 40% at Paris-CDG, Orly and Beauvais and 30% at Lyon, Marseille and Montpellier, as well as for the Corsican airports of Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi and Figari. In addition to cancellations, delays are also possible and the DGAC is inviting passengers who are able to do so to " postpone their trip and check with their airline to find out the status of their flight ".
