Overview

• The SNCTA, which holds about 60% support among French air-traffic controllers, has filed a national strike notice for Thursday, 18 September from the start of service through the end of the following night shift.
• The union cites a breakdown in social dialogue and demands full inflation catch-up for 2024 along with changes to the profession’s governance, condemning what it calls punitive and degrading management practices.
• Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said on X that he will not give in to the unions’ demands and called the new notice ill-timed given the current political context, referencing François Bayrou’s 8 September confidence vote.
• The 18 September date aligns with a broader inter-union action across transport, as the four main RATP unions call for a mass strike and other groups prepare decisions, with some also organizing actions on 10 September.
• Recent controller walkouts have already caused major disruption, including nearly 3,000 flight cancellations in early July by other unions, underscoring the potential for significant travel impact if the stoppage goes ahead.