Europe’s largest airline Ryanair and more than 730,000 frustrated passengers are urging the EU Commission to protect Freedom of Movement and overflights during French ATC strikes after over 4,000 flights were canceled on Mon, 1 May.
President Von Der Leyen has been nowhere to be seen amid the 52nd day of French ATC strikes. Which is causing significant travel disruptions.
Ryanair on French ATC Strikes
In just 6 weeks since its launch, Ryanair’s petition “Protect Passengers: Keep EU Skies Open” has garnered over 700,000 signatures from passengers demanding that the EU Commission take immediate action to safeguard European citizens’ freedom of movement and overflights during French ATC strikes.
Despite this overwhelming response, President von der Leyen has yet to acknowledge the repeated calls for action from EU passengers who have faced cancellations and delays. Due to the ongoing French ATC strikes, even if their flights do not involve France.
This is because French domestic flights are protected by Minimum Service Legislation. While overflights from Germany, Spain, Italy, the UK, and Ireland are disproportionately affected.
Italy and Greece have already implemented measures to protect overflights during ATC strikes. Further the EU Commission must now require France to do the same.
Executive Comments
According to a spokesperson from Ryanair, President Ursula von der Leyen has not acknowledged the “Protect Passengers: Keep EU Skies Open” petition. Which has been signed by over 700,000 EU passengers.
The petition calls for the EU Commission to protect the Freedom of Movement and overflights of EU citizens during French ATC strikes. Which have caused over 730,000 passengers to have their flights cancelled at short notice in the first four months of 2023.
The spokesperson urges the EU Commission to protect overflights during French ATC strikes. As Italy and Greece already do and to cancel French flights. Rather than canceling EU overflights from Germany, Spain, Italy, and the UK.
Ryanair is calling on EU passengers to help reach one million signatures on the petition. Further it demands action from President von der Leyen and the EU Commission to protect all flights for EU citizens.
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