Ryanair cancels 170 flights over 'recreational' air traffic control strike

Ryanair has warned of 170 flight cancellations, disrupting travel for more than 30,000 passengers, as a French air traffic controllers strike looms.

The no-frills carrier, Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers, announced its decision after a plea by French authorities for airlines to reduce flights at Paris airports by 40% on Friday.

The industrial action is set to begin later on Thursday and is expected to affect all flights using French airspace, leading to wider cancellations and delays.

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Ryanair said its cancellations, covering both days, would hit services to and from France, and also flights over the country to destinations such as the UK, Greece, Spain and Ireland.

Group chief executive Michael O'Leary has campaigned for a European Union-led shake-up of air traffic control services in a bid to prevent such disruptive strikes, which have proved common in recent years.

He described the latest action as "recreational".

"Once again, European families are held to ransom by French air traffic controllers going on strike", he said.

"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."

Ryanair is demanding the EU ensure that air traffic services are fully staffed for the first wave of daily departures, as well as to protect overflights during national strikes.

"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.