UK-Spain flights face disruption from French air traffic control strike

FLIGHTS between the UK and Spain may be affected when French air traffic controllers join a national strike in the country on Tuesday, 12 September.

It is not yet clear what impact the strike will have on flights between the UK and Spain, that normally travel through French airspace.

The USAC CGT, one of the main French air traffic controllers unions, is supporting the national call for strikes, both in public and private sector, by the major French union, the  General Confederation of Labour (CGT), in opposition to new labour laws.

The strike action could cause major disruption to flights across Europe, and delays as aircraft fly around France in order to avoid disruption.

Passengers are urged to check with their airlines near to departure time for the latest advice on individual flights.

A protest march is planned in Paris on 12 September starting at 2pm (local time) at the Bastille and ending at Place d’Italie. Further protests are set to place throughout major cities in France. 

The general strike will coincide with an unrelated strike by Air France pilots, which runs from 9 September through to 12 September.

Former presidential candidate and head of the La France Insoumise political party, Jean-Luc Mélanchon, has also called on French workers to strike on 23 September.