corporate-wage-slave

BA are cancelling a number of services today due to ATC strikes in France on Thursday 9 January 2020:
My experience is that this tends to have an impact on all sorts of other services, directly and indirectly, particularly to France and Spain but also Switzerland and Italy.

I would imagine BA at LHR will be receptive to people switching services today on shorthaul even if their ticket does not have Free Change on Day.

florens

Again

orbitmic

Well, that's not really for this thread but yes, it's all part of the very same continuing strike movement which has now been ongoing for a while (national pension system reform particularly affecting the very categories which typically find it comparatively easiest to get organised and go on strike.) and may continue longer despite a theoretical deadline in about 10 days to finalise legislation, so there may well be a few more of those to occur in forthcoming weeks.

The major strike dates are usually announced about 2-3 weeks ahead of time by the major unions (for instance, today's date was announced on 19 December) so if you keep an eye on the relevant news it is normally possible to organise in advance. Not "fair" or ideal of course, but still better than finding out one's flight is cancelled once you reach the airport.

Vinotraveller

Does that mean similar action 1 week today is now unlikely, or is that assumption foolish?

alex67500

Currently the notice runs until the end of Jan, but unions are in discussions to issue a new common notice valid until end of June. The idea is that train and tube drivers will alternate a few days on / few days off to make sure they still get paid some money, and there will be a wider "interprofessional"(*) demonstration every Thursday.

(*) their word, not mine.

OddJobMan

Is there any chance that this could spill over to tomorrow?

alex67500

From the previous weeks since early December, it's only on one day a week when they have the big demos. Unless planes end up out of position, tomorrow should be fine. But I think BA preemptively cancelling flights is a way to avoid that.

OddJobMan

Thanks, was getting nervous about a flight from Gatwick tomorrow morning.

Irreverent Medusa

Easy option: https://www.cestlagreve.fr/
They also have an app for Android and I'd assume for Apple too.

PUCCI GALORE

I would be surprised if this lasts beyond today since quite a lot of strikers are giving in and going back to work because they simply cannot afford to stay out any longer. This is not going to end any time soon, unless the Government backs down . France is absolutely in uproar over the pension reforms. French ATC is unhappy for this and for other reasons.

This looks to me like contingency planning as the airports and ATC seems to working This being the quietest season probably helps.

orbitmic

There are demonstrations planned on Saturday but not strikes. It might be wise to plan going to the airport a bit ahead of time on that day, especially if going from or through a major city centre in case there are corresponding traffic restrictions, but I would not expect further strikes then nor spillover effects.except specifically if you are on an overnighter tomorrow morning which was cancelled outbound.

Vinotraveller

Very useful link - thanks for sharing.

OddJobMan

No worries orbitmic, It's actually a day trip to Malaga so should be fine.