Air France cancels flights on Friday, Budapest also affected

Air France is cancelling half of its flights on Friday due to the strike of French flight controllers. Flights to and from Budapest are also affected.

Cancelled flights due to strike

A strike has been called by French air traffic controllers for Friday, 16 September. As a result, the aviation authority has called on airlines to cancel half of their flights to France that day. Air France has cancelled 10 percent of its long-haul flights and 55 percent of its short- and medium-haul flights, with one flight to Budapest also affected.

A 24-hour strike has been called for Friday by the French air traffic controllers’ union SNCTA, prompting the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) to cancel half of its flights to and from France. Air France subsequently decided to operate 90 percent of its long-haul flights on Friday and only 45 percent of its short- and medium-haul flights.

The airline also says that delays and even last-minute cancellations cannot be ruled out, airportal reports. Air France has notified affected passengers by email and text message, offering them free rebooking, refunds or vouchers. The strike will also affect flights crossing the country’s airspace, with route changes and delays expected.

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According to the flight information system of Budapest Airport, Air France cancelled the scheduled flight AF 1294 from Paris CDG to Budapest at 11:30 on Friday and its pair AF 1295 to the French capital.

Other airlines cancelled flights too

On Thursday afternoon, Ryanair cancelled 420 flights on Friday, including between Paris (BVA) and Budapest, and Transavia France will not operate between Orly and the Hungarian capital on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Irish low-cost carrier has issued a statement calling on the European Union to take steps to reduce the number of flights over French airspace that have to be cancelled. If no agreement can be reached on the demands, the managers’ union has called for a further strike between Wednesday 28 and Friday 30 September.