Biznes Fakty
Cancelled flights from Warsaw to Paris. Problems at Chopin Airport
A strike by French air traffic controllers has prompted airlines to cut back on flights between Warsaw and Paris, as indicated by information on the Chopin Airport website. This protest is also leading to challenges at various other airports across France.
According to a report on Thursday evening from Krzysztof Moczulski, spokesperson for LOT Polish Airlines, flight LO 336 arriving from Paris, scheduled for Thursday at 10 p.m., and flight LO 335 departing to Paris on Friday at 4:25 p.m., have been canceled.
Moczulski confirmed that the airline’s customer service will reach out to passengers and provide options for rebooking onto alternative flights or issuing refunds. He noted that the same assistance would be available for travelers who were unable to depart from Paris. He also stated that LOT does not currently have information regarding the duration of the strike by French air traffic controllers.
Airlines are canceling flights
Air France has also cancelled several flights, including an arrival from Paris to Warsaw scheduled for 11:55 on Friday. Similarly, Wizz Air reported that the ongoing strike by air traffic controllers in France is causing considerable disruption to flight operations throughout the country, affecting transit flights as well as those to and from neighboring nations. „This nationwide protest has resulted in significant congestion in European airspace, leading to delays and, in some instances, unavoidable cancellations by many airlines operating in the region, including Wizz Air,” the airline stated. „We kindly ask for your patience and understanding during this challenging time – this disruption is a consequence of industrial action that is beyond our influence,” it added. The airline assured that in cases where cancellation is unavoidable, Wizz Air will provide swift assistance to affected customers in rebooking alternative flights or obtaining a prompt refund.
„At Wizz Air, we genuinely hope for a productive dialogue among the relevant stakeholders in France that would facilitate the restoration of normal operations in European airspace – which is already heavily congested during the peak holiday season – without further interruptions,” the airline remarked. Wizz Air emphasized that while the issue is national, its consequences are felt by millions of passengers across Europe, making it crucial for the European Commission to take action. „We are actively monitoring the situation and will keep our customers updated through our official channels,” the airline stated.
Controllers strike in France
The strike by air traffic controllers that commenced on Thursday has led to chaos at French airports, resulting in the cancellation of 933 flights. Agence France-Presse (AFP) estimated that the disruption could escalate on its second day, Friday. The controllers are advocating for better working conditions and organizational improvements. The Airlines for Europe organization, which includes members such as Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways, easyJet, and Ryanair, claimed that the strike is jeopardizing the holiday plans of countless individuals. EasyJet has already declared the cancellation of 274 flights on Thursday and Friday. The French civil aviation authority DGAC requested airlines to decrease the number of flights on Thursday. At Paris’ Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports, the number of flights is set to be reduced by a quarter on Thursday, with 40% of flights canceled on Friday, according to AFP.
Not only Paris
Beyond the major airports in the capital, the restrictions extend to Nice, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, and airports in Corsica. In Nice, half of the flights are expected to be canceled on Thursday and Friday. The DGAC has warned that despite the reduction in flights nationwide, significant delays are anticipated. The authority has advised passengers to consider rebooking their flights for later dates if feasible. The second-largest union of air traffic controllers, UNSA-ICNA, has called for a strike, while the slightly smaller USAC-CGT has stated it will join the action. Organizers are demanding increased wages, citing staff shortages, outdated equipment, and „toxic management” as concerns.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot dismissed the possibility of concessions to air traffic controllers. „The union’s demands are as unacceptable as striking at the beginning of the holiday season,” he remarked. The largest union of air traffic controllers, SNCTA, is not participating in the strike.
