French air traffic controllers threaten summer disruption

France’s second-largest air traffic controllers’ union, UNSA-ICNA, has filed a strike notice for 3–4 July 2025, ahead of the summer holiday rush. The union cited “toxic management” and “project mismanagement” within France’s air navigation services.

UNSA-ICNA is accusing the Directorate of Air Navigation Services (DSNA) of “authoritarian” leadership and a workplace climate “incompatible with safety.” It also criticises the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) for failing to modernise essential tools, despite repeated alerts and recent major technical failures, including at Paris-Orly in May.

The DGAC expressed “deep regret” over the timing of the strike, which coincides with some of the year’s busiest travel days. It acknowledged staffing shortages and has scheduled a meeting with the union in hopes of averting the walkout.

Under French law, a five-day notice period allows for negotiations. However, if no agreement is reached, air traffic could be cut by 50–70%, causing major disruption for travellers.

This comes hot on the heels of EasyJet’s cabin crew strike in Spain over pay and conditions.