Britons warned of holiday hell as 2,000 flights cancelled with easyJet, Ryanair and BA affected - expect 'disruption'

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warned Britons: "It is being reported that on Thursday, April 25, 2024, flights across France will be disrupted, with many cancelled, following a call for strike action by air traffic control unions.

"Check your operator’s advice before travelling, including where you are taking connecting flights."

While the strike action has been called off, many flights may face disruption in the wake of this.

Airlines for Europe said: "In advance of the strike, airlines had been forced to cancel more than 2,000 flights, the majority of which would have landed or departed from France.

"Another 1,000 flights would have had to divert away from French airspace causing further delays and disruption."

For Britons in Paris, the DGAC civil aviation authority told airlines that around 75 per cent of flights at Orly and 55 per cent at Charles de Gaulle Airport will be cancelled on April 25.

Those in Marseille have been warned that around 65 per cent of services at Marseille Airport will not go ahead. Elsewhere in France, 45 per cent of flights have been cancelled.

Several airlines released statements regarding disruptions to services. Ryanair shared that it was forced to cancel more than 300 flights, affecting 50,000 passengers. Boss Michael O'Leary made a statement in which he said: "French air traffic controllers are free to go on strike, that’s their right, but we should be cancelling French flights, not flights leaving Ireland, going to Italy, or flights from Germany to Spain or Scandinavia to Portugal."

He called for "action to protect overflights which will eliminate over 90 per cent of these flight cancellations".

Yesterday, the managing director of Airlines for Europe (A4E) Ourania Georgoutsakou said: "While the withdrawal of strike notice may offer some relief for some passengers, its last-minute nature means that there will still be significant disruption to flights in France and across parts of Europe.

"This is a clear illustration of why we need an EU framework for minimising disruption from ATC strikes and for providing advance clarity and certainty on ATC capacity across Europe.

"Airline operations cannot be turned on and off like a light switch. Airlines will be working hard to fly as many flights as possible tomorrow but the last-minute about turn by the largest union involved will likely be too little too late for many."

The FCDO said: "There can be frequent industrial action across France. This can lead to disruption and delays on public transport. If you’re due to travel to or within France, monitor the media, check your operator’s advice and follow the advice of the authorities."

Those visiting France should consult the FCDO for information on safety and security, including where terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks, pickpocketing, and assaults taking place on trains.

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Britons can also find guidance on laws and cultural differences, outdoor activities and adventure tourism, transport risks, and extreme weather and natural disasters.

Those planning on travelling to France and anywhere else have been advised to "follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

"If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency."

In recent travel news, Britons were issued with a warning as cases of a "potentially life-threatening" disease rise in England, Wales and Nothern Ireland.