Expand
French industrial action delayed more than 25 per cent of Ryanair's 9,000 scheduled flights while it forced the Irish carrier to cancel 230 services. Photograph: Nick BradshawRyanair has criticised European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s failure to act on air traffic control strikes after French industrial action cost it 230 flights at the weekend.
French air traffic controllers joined other workers in the country to down tools in protest at president Emmanuel Macron’s move to increase the retirement age to 64 from 62. The Irish group called on Ms von der Leyen and the European Commission to defend the single market for air travel across Europe during strikes.
Ryanair confirmed on Monday that the strike delayed more than 25 per cent of its 9,000 scheduled flights while it forced the Irish carrier to cancel 230 services. The airline noted that while French law protected domestic flights in the country, services through its air space to other European countries bore the brunt of the strike’s impact.