Authorities in charge of air navigation warned travelers about potential disruptions this Friday due to an ongoing air traffic control strike. The situation could lead to delays and other operational changes for flights scheduled in the coming hours. France announced a 24‑hour work stoppage starting on Friday, with broader implications for regional and international air travel.
In a post on social media, the aviation authority reported that the strike would begin at 6 p.m. local time on Friday and urged passengers to verify flight status with their airlines before heading to the airport. The message emphasized that real-time updates are essential as circumstances evolve.
Another official statement noted that, as of Friday, there are approximately 6,000 planned operations, with around 280 involving France and 32 already cancelled. The advisory highlighted that flights traversing French airspace could be affected, and authorities estimated that roughly half of all operations might be grounded during the strike window.
The disruptions stem from concerns raised by French controllers represented by the Sncta union, including issues related to delays in recruiting due to retirements and inflation impacting purchasing power. The strike schedule includes a 24‑hour action on Friday and an additional three‑day stoppage planned from September 28 to 30.
Given France’s geographic position, the strike could influence air traffic across Europe, with notable effects on flights to and from Spain due to the country’s proximity and its role as a transit region. Enaire and other European air navigation bodies are monitoring the situation closely and coordinating responses to minimize disruption.
To mitigate the strike’s impact on French aviation, Enaire has implemented a series of operational measures. In the North Central region, authorities temporarily relaxed the routing rules for flights headed to the United Kingdom, expanding airline routing flexibility and allowing alternative paths to avoid congested French airspace. This has led to traffic being diverted via northern routes through England, effectively reducing bottlenecks around French airports.
Flight planning adjustments may also affect traffic to and from Barcelona and Palma. Some routes are being considered for diversion over Algerian airspace to bypass Marseille airspace, particularly on southbound and Balearic‑focused itineraries. These changes are intended to preempt delays caused by Marseille’s regulatory environment while preserving overall schedule integrity.
In the eastern and Balearic regions, a coordinated set of technical actions has been activated. Departures from Barcelona via Algeria are to maintain specific altitudes to ensure separation from regional traffic and to optimize flow through alternative corridors. The aim is to preserve safety while offering airlines more flexibility during the disruption window.
Additionally, it appears that departures from Menorca to Marseille airspace have been adjusted to reroute through Barcelona and Bordeaux sectors, reducing pressure on constrained French routes and spreading traffic more evenly across European airspace.
The head of Spain’s air navigation organization cautions that non‑standard routing volumes could rise during the strike day, potentially affecting air traffic across Europe as routes adapt to the absence of French control services. The overall effect may be widespread, with carriers seeking alternative corridors to keep schedules intact.
Across Spain, the national directorate of air navigation indicates that several measures have been put in place to limit the strike’s impact on flights. The approach prioritizes safety while providing airlines with adaptability to manage route changes and avoid unnecessary delays.
As this situation unfolds, travelers are advised to stay informed through official airline communications and aviation authorities, and to consider flexible travel plans where possible. Updates will continue to be issued as the scenario develops and additional operational adjustments are confirmed.