France Air Traffic Control Strike in September: How Does this Affect Palma Airport Travellers?

Thursday, September 4th, 2025

France’s biggest air traffic control union announces strike

Passengers travelling through Palma de Mallorca Airport face potential disruption later this month, as France’s largest air traffic control union, the SNCTA, has confirmed a 2-day walkout. The strike is set to begin on the morning of Thursday, the 18th of September 2025 and run until the end of Friday, the 19th of September.

Representing around 60% of the country’s air traffic controllers, the SNCTA is by far the most influential union in the sector. While the group did not join the July strikes that wreaked havoc across Europe, its involvement this time has raised fears of more widespread disruption.

Why does a strike in France affect Palma Airport flights?

Many flights between Mallorca and destinations in the UK, Germany, Italy and other European countries pass through French airspace, even if they are not landing in France. When French controllers go on strike, the number of planes allowed to cross French skies is reduced. This creates bottlenecks in European air traffic, forcing airlines to cancel or reroute flights.

For travellers flying to or from Palma Airport, this means journeys can be delayed, diverted, or cancelled altogether, even if France is not part of their itinerary.

What happened during the July strikes?

The most recent industrial action in early July, organised by smaller French unions, caused chaos across the continent. According to Eurocontrol, more than one million passengers were affected, with thousands of flights cancelled. Low-cost carriers, including Ryanair, estimated the cost to airlines at over €100 million, highlighting the scale of the disruption. With the SNCTA now taking action in September, the potential for disruption is even greater.

Why are French air traffic controllers striking?

The union says it has been forced into action following a “complete breakdown” in talks with France’s Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC). It accuses the DGAC of poor management practices and claims that repeated attempts at dialogue have failed.

The SNCTA is demanding wage increases in line with inflation and major reforms in how air traffic operations are managed in France. According to the union, striking has become a last resort after years of unproductive negotiations.

What can passengers expect during the September strike?

Impact across Europe: Not only will flights to and from French airports be affected, but also those crossing French airspace – including routes between Palma, the UK, Germany and other European countries.
Flight cancellations and delays: The DGAC is expected to publish official details two days before the strike, but airlines have already warned passengers to prepare for disruption.