French air-traffic controllers strike bringing misery to thousands

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French air-traffic controllers strike bringing misery to thousands | Secret Flying

French air-traffic controllers are staging a strike today causing misery for thousands of passengers across Europe as airlines cancel flights.

 

French air-traffic controllers are staging a strike today as part of a nationwide walk-out which constitutes the first major challenge to President Macron’s sweeping labour reforms.

 

Flights to and from French airports, as well as those flying in French airspace, are affected. For example, British Airways flights from London, UK to Barcelona, Spain are cancelled.

 

Tens of thousands of holidaymakers are left stranded or face lengthy delays on the first day of the strike. Delays are likely to continue until tomorrow.

 

Compensation will not be paid to passengers affected by the strike, as airlines will claim disruptions are due to ‘extraordinary circumstances’.

 

The Flight Compensation Regulation 261/2004 is a regulation in EU law establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding, flight cancellations, or long delays of flights.

 

In the event that your flight is cancelled, your carrier should provide you with the following options:

 

  1. Repayment of the cost of unused flight tickets
  2. Rerouting under similar conditions to the intended final destination at the earliest opportunity
  3. Rerouting under similar conditions to the intended final destination at the passenger’s leisure, subject to the availability of seats.

 

If you choose the second option (Rerouting under similar conditions to the intended final destination at the earliest opportunity), the airline must provide you with care and assistance while you wait for your new flight. You must be offered, free of charge:

 

  1. Meals and refreshments in proportion to the waiting time
  2. Two telephone calls, fax or telex messages, or emails
  3. Hotel accommodation and transport between the airport and the hotel, if a stay of one or more nights, or a stay additional to that intended by the passenger becomes necessary

 

In the case of a delay, the airline may withdraw or abrogate these entitlements if offering them would delay the flight further.