Overview

• Last week’s two-day walkout by 270 Unsa-Icna controllers triggered cancellations of over 1,500 flights and stranded around 300,000 passengers across France and Spain
• The strike officially concluded on July 4 but left a backlog of delays and cancellations that continue to impact this weekend’s high-season travel
• Major hubs including Palma de Mallorca’s Son Sant, Nice, Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Orly have operated at reduced capacity, with Son Sant cancelling at least 70 flights
• Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot warned airlines of “millions of euros” in losses and refused to concede to union demands, while Airlines for Europe urged guaranteed overflight rights and service continuity
• Industry and policymakers are now pressing for EU-level safeguards or alternative overflight arrangements to prevent national strikes from crippling continental air traffic