More Flights Cancelled and Delayed at Alicante-Elche Airport Due to French Air Traffic Controllers' Strike

Just a week ago, the EasyJet cabin crew strike resulted in nearly 20 flight cancellations at Alicante-Elche airport over the three-day stoppage. Now, the Alicante terminal faces another day of cancellations due to the French air traffic controllers' strike, which began on Thursday, July 3, and continues on the current 4th.

The strike, called by Unsa-Icna, has caused real chaos at airports such as Paris, Nice, or Marseille, three of the main connections between Alicante and France. Due to the strike, up to six flights were cancelled last Thursday, three departures and as many arrivals. According to the affected airlines' operations, Ryanair and EasyJet suspended the links to Nice, Paris, and Marseille from Alicante-Elche airport, and the planes coming from Nantes, Nice, and Marseille.

According to Aena sources confirmed to TodoAlicante, this Friday the strike has forced the cancellation of three flights from Alicante-Elche airport to and from France. These include Paris and the Lyon arrivals and departures, operated by EasyJet. More cancellations are not ruled out, especially on the second frequency to Paris-Orly, operated by Ryanair.

These same sources indicate that, due to the strike, other flights whose usual route is French airspace may be affected. In fact, there are already several delays on flights from Alicante-Elche airport out of the 386 scheduled for this Friday.

About 270 air traffic controllers in France are on strike, 20% of the workforce, which has jeopardised operations with France by suspending around 1,500 flights in total. Just this Friday in Spain, 92 flights have been cancelled, half of the operations of the 172 movements scheduled until 1 p.m.

The consumer association, Facua, has issued a statement to inform travellers that, if cancelled, they are entitled to a refund of the ticket price and expenses incurred, such as meals, drinks, or accommodation, as well as alternative transport to the final destination.

In France, the impact has been devastating, with 40% of flights cancelled at three Paris airports, along with a 50% drop in activity at Nice terminal, the third largest in the country, while airports in Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, or Ajaccio, among others, have 30% fewer operations.