French Air Traffic Control Strike Called Off – Relief for European Travellers
Saturday, October 4th, 2025
UPDATE:
The planned French air traffic control (ATC) strike has been officially cancelled, bringing relief to thousands of passengers who had been bracing for major disruption across Europe.
French ATC Strike Cancelled After Last-Minute Agreement
France’s main air traffic control union, the SNCTA, announced it has withdrawn its strike notice for 7–9 October 2025 following discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority and government officials. The decision came after progress in talks about working conditions and pay, as well as a political agreement to delay debate on France’s finance bill in parliament.
The SNCTA, which represents around 60% of French air traffic controllers, said it had made “progress on internal issues” and held “constructive discussions with all parties involved.” No new strike dates have been announced. The union had originally planned the walkout for September before postponing it to October. The French Transport Ministry welcomed the decision, noting that the move was in the best interests of passengers, airlines, and airports.
What the Strike Could Have Meant for Mallorca-Bound Travellers
Had the strike gone ahead, Europe’s skies could have faced severe disruption. Ryanair, the continent’s largest airline, had warned that up to 600 flights a day might have been cancelled, potentially affecting 100,000 passengers daily.
Although the walkout was planned in France, its impact would have been felt well beyond its borders. Because French airspace acts as a major flight corridor between northern Europe and southern destinations like Palma de Mallorca, even overflights would have been affected. Airlines often need to reroute planes to avoid French skies during strikes, causing longer flight times, delays, and even cancellations.
With many UK, German, Dutch and Scandinavian routes to Mallorca crossing French territory, disruption would almost certainly have reached Palma de Mallorca Airport had the strike gone ahead.
Wider European Disruption Still Possible
While the cancellation of the French strike brings short-term relief, travellers across Europe still face possible delays from other industrial actions:
| STRIKE / ACTION | WHERE AND WHEN | IMPACT ON TRAVELLERS |
| Ryanair Ground Staff (Azul Handling) | Ongoing since 15 August 2025, running until end of December 2025. Stoppages occur several times a day, four days per week. More details. | Affects Ryanair flights at Palma and other Spanish airports. Expect possible delays in check-in, boarding, and baggage handling. |
| Belgium National Strike | 14 October 2025: nationwide strike called by Belgian trade unions. | Brussels Airport has already cancelled all outbound flights for the day. Travellers connecting via Belgium should plan alternative routes. |
| Potential Lufthansa Strike | A recent vote by pilots’ union Vereinigung Cockpit strongly backed industrial action. No strike dates yet, but the union has warned that strikes could occur at any time. | Passengers booked with Lufthansa or its subsidiaries should keep an eye on updates, as short-notice strikes remain possible. |
Looking Ahead
For passengers flying to or from Palma de Mallorca, the key takeaway is to stay informed and stay flexible. With a little preparation, you can navigate any unexpected changes and keep your travel plans on track.
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