Ryanair cancels thousands of flights as the French strike

Ryanair has cancelled 170 flights affecting 30,000 passengers as French air traffic control strike.

The flight cancellations on Thursday and Friday which will affect flights between the UK and France.

Flights over France heading to Ireland, Greece, Spain and the UK will also be affected.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary called on the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take “urgent action.”

O’Leary said: “Once again, European families are held to ransom by French air traffic controllers going on strike.

“It is not acceptable that overflights over French airspace en route to their destination are being cancelled/delayed as a result of yet another French ATC strike.

“It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on EU passengers and families going on holidays.”

The Ryanair chief has been calling over the years to get the  EU make sure the French air traffic control is properly staffed for the initial departures.

“These two splendid reforms would eliminate 90% of all ATC delays and cancellations, and protect EU passengers from these repeated and avoidable ATC disruptions due to yet another French ATC strike,” Mr O’Leary added.