Airline Group Accuses Striking Air Traffic Controllers of Taking Travelers ‘Hostage’

The newly formed airline industry lobbying group Airlines for Europe is calling on lawmakers to end the “unnecessary delays and inconvenience for millions of passengers” caused by labor actions in France.

Airlines for Europe (A4E) had strong words for striking air traffic controllers as well as European lawmakers after a work stoppage caused hundreds of delayed and canceled flights over the busy spring break travel period. The ATC strike was timed to affect flights to and from airports in France on Sunday and Monday.

Ryanair reports having to cancel more than 200 flights on Monday. According to BBC News, nearly 145 EasyJet flights were also affected by the labor action in France. Both airlines are founding members of A4E, which was formed in January.

“The negative impact of ATC strikes on European Aviation is a key issue for our airlines and their customers,” A4E Managing Director Thomas Reynaert said in a statement titled “European Travellers Taken Hostage in Air Traffic Strikes.”

The press release goes on to state, “The European Commission must stand up for consumers and promote their rights. We urge all parties involved to develop and agree on an action plan and A4E will take the lead, seeking urgent working sessions with all stakeholders. We just can’t just spoil the Easter holiday break of European travelers.”

It’s not a great surprise that A4E came out strongly against the French ATC strike. When the lobbying group was launched less than two months ago, A4E members including Air France/KLM, EasyJet, British Airways’ parent International Airlines Group (IAG), Lufthansa Group and Ryanair cited limiting labor actions like the current strike in France as a key legislative priority of the new trade group. Reynaert pointed out that 28 days of ATC strikes in Europe caused the delay or cancellation of more than 10,000 flights last year alone.

Labor leaders, however, say that the recent work stoppage is about more than just airline profits or employee working conditions. Union officials say the labor action is a necessary wake-up call about serious safety issues.

“French Air Traffic Controllers have the technical tools that greatly limit their performance,” labor leaders said in a press release announcing the ATC strike. “The current systems are from another age, outdated and lead to increasingly frequent blackouts with direct implications for safety.”

[Photo: Getty Images]