RYANAIR has cancelled 400 flights in a blow to Irish tourists ahead of planned strikes next week.
The budget airline has cancelled flights to and from Ireland today, July 4, as Air Traffic Control (ATC) strikes continue in France.
Flights has also impacted, with a total of 400 flights cancelled across both days.
The cancellations include flights across Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Air France services.
Yesterday, there were 20 flights cancelled to and from Dublin Airport.
It’s believed that the ongoing action will impact 70,000 passengers.
Not only are flights to and from France being cancelled, but also any flying over the country.
These could include flights heading to popular destinations including the UK, Greece and Spain.
Ryanair said: “In addition to flights to/from France being cancelled, this strike will also affect all French overflights.
“Most disrupted passengers are not even flying to/from France.”
Dublin Airport reported that 14 flights have been cancelled today.
Cancelled services include services to and from Nice, Paris and Helsinki.
STAY INFORMED
The airport said: “Further disruption to flight schedules is possible today (Friday) due to another day of air traffic control strikes in France and a ground staff strike in Finland.”
Passengers are being advised to stay up to date with the latest developments regarding their flight.
Dublin Airport added: “Passengers due to fly to or over mainland Europe today are advised to check directly with their airline for latest updates on the status of their flight.”
Aer Lingus said that across yesterday and today there would be “limited flight cancellations to and from Paris and Nice.”
The airline added that passengers impacted had been contacted and re-accommodated on alternative flights or were offered other options.
If your flight is one of the ones that has been cancelled, you should be contacted directly by the airline.
But if you have booked through third parties such as travel agents or other airlines, the updates may go to them instead.
Passengers should be entitled to the choice between a re-routing or a full refund under EU Regulation 261/2014.
According to UNSA-ICNA, the French ATC union, the two day strike is due to persistent understaffing, outdated equipment and a toxic management culture.
MAJOR DELAYS
Ryanair has said that in the first half of 2025, French ATC issues caused delays on over 26,000 of its services.
The budget airline called on EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, to take urgent action to reform European ATC services.
CEO Michael O’Leary said: “Once again European families are held to ransom by French air traffic controllers going on strike.
“It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on EU passengers and families going on holidays.
“France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, and the UK continue to delay thousands of Ryanair flights and millions of Ryanair passengers, putting them in stark contrast to other EU States, like Slovakia, Denmark, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands, who are delivering many many more on-time flights.
“If these five states can properly staff and manage their ATC service, then why can’t France, Spain, Germany, Portugal and the UK do likewise?”
