Ryanair issues holiday alert to Brits flying to Europe in October

Ryanair has issued a stark warning to its passengers planning to fly in October. The budget airline is alerting travellers about impending strikes in France that could disrupt the plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers.

France's largest air traffic controllers' (ATC) union, Syndicat Majoritaire des Contrôleurs Aériens (SNCTA), is set to strike from October 7-10. The union members are protesting against their current working conditions.

Originally scheduled for September 17-18, the strike was postponed due to political unrest in the country. Now rescheduled for October 7-10, one travel firm is predicting 'chaos'. The strike will not only affect flights destined for France but also those passing through French airspace.

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"13 days to go! ! !," Ryanair posted on social media. "ANOTHER French Air Traffic Control strike is approaching. We again ask @ursulavonderleyen to enforce the protection of overflights during French strikes - exactly what has been done in Spain, Italy and Greece!"

Ryanair has repeatedly urged European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to reform the current system. Some countries, such as Spain, Italy, and Greece, reportedly safeguard overflights during ATC strikes.

Ryanair claims that these measures would eliminate up to 90 per cent of ATC delays and cancellations. The airline expressed its frustration earlier this summer when a strike by Belgrade's ATC delayed 99 flights and disrupted over 17,800 passengers in just two days.

The impact of the French strikes could be severe. During the peak travel season in October, Charles de Gaulle Airport alone typically handles over 200,000 passengers daily, and France saw roughly 1m overnight stays by international tourists between October 9-11 in 2024.

Holidaymakers are being urged to check with their airlines 48 hours before departure to learn of any disruption. They are also advised to brace themselves for a longer-than-expected wait at the airport and arrive well ahead of their flight.

Downloading airline apps can also help you stay updated, and be prepared for delays on things like trains and coaches as affected passengers seek alternative means of transport.