Several Budapest flights could be affected by Ryanair’s mass cancellations during French strike
Ryanair may be forced to cancel up to 600 flights per day next week due to strike action by French air traffic controllers, potentially disrupting the travel plans of around 100,000 passengers across Europe. The strike will particularly affect flights crossing French airspace – including those departing from Budapest.
Disruptions could hit Hungary as well
In the coming days, Ryanair is scheduled to operate direct flights from Budapest to Paris, Marseille and Toulouse, all of which could be at risk, Telex reports. In addition, flights passing through French airspace – for example, routes to Spain, Portugal or the United Kingdom – may also face cancellations or significant delays.
Why are French air traffic controllers striking?
The SNCTA union has called for strike action between 7 and 10 October, which is expected to severely restrict the use of French airspace and disrupt air travel across Western Europe, according to The Guardian. The exact impact is not yet known, but Ryanair has warned that the worst-case scenario could involve the cancellation of 600 flights per day.
The Irish low-cost airline has already advised passengers to expect serious disruption during the strike period. Just last month, a walkout by a smaller French union forced Ryanair to cancel dozens of flights and caused several hours of delays for tens of thousands of travellers.
- Today’s cancelled flight: Budapest flight cancelled as drone panic shuts down Munich Airport
O’Leary appeals to Brussels
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has written an open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging the EU to amend its rules. While he acknowledged that French air traffic controllers have the right to strike, he argued that shutting down overflights unnecessarily paralyses European aviation.
“We cannot have a situation in the EU where we have a single market, yet we close that market every time the French go on strike,” O’Leary said. He suggested that Eurocontrol, which oversees Europe’s air traffic management, could handle overflights during periods of strike action.
Rising tensions in European air travel
Ryanair’s statement is among the most outspoken, but not unique. Other airlines have also expressed frustration over frequent air traffic disruptions, compounded not only by strikes but also by post-COVID staff shortages and occasional technical failures. The situation is further complicated by the closure of Russian and Ukrainian airspace, which already restricts flight paths, meaning any strike has a continent-wide impact.
What does this mean for passengers?
Travellers flying from Budapest to France, or on routes crossing French airspace, are advised to closely monitor updates from the airline, as flights may be cancelled or rescheduled at very short notice.