Ryanair and easyJet have been forced to cancel hundreds of flights today (Friday) due to a strike by French air traffic controllers.
As many as 80,000 Ryanair passengers will be affected with 420 flights grounded.
Easyjet did not detail the impact on its schedule but admitted that cancellations would be made, with 76 flights reportedly affected, while British Airways is cancelling 22.
More: Flight disruption warning over French air traffic controllers’ strike
More than half of all Air France short and medium haul flights will be affected and 10% of long-haul although the carrier warned that delays and last minute cancellations “cannot be ruled out”.
Airlines operating from and over France face having to cut their schedules in half due to the walkout by controllers, affecting flights to and from other countries such as Spain and Italy.
The industrial action is due to be staged from 6am today for 24 hours, leading to potential knock-on effects over the weekend
Ryanair urged the European Union to intervene to protect services that fly over France from disruption.
All 80,000 affected Ryanair customers were notified on Thursday and advised of their options via email and text.
“Ryanair sincerely apologises to its customers for these unnecessary disruptions that this French ATC strike will cause them,” the carrier said.
Operations director Neal McMahon said: “It is inexplicable that thousands of European citizens/visitors will have their travel plans unfairly disrupted by yet another French ATC strike.
“Ryanair is once again calling for immediate EU action to prevent these ATC strikes disrupting the travel plans of thousands of European citizens/visitors.
“It is inexcusable that passengers who are not even flying to/from France are disrupted because they overfly French airspace at a time when French laws protect French domestic flights.
“It is time that the EU step in and protect overflights so that European passengers are not repeatedly held to ransom by a tiny French ATC union.”
EasyJet said: “We’ve been advised that there will be an air traffic control strike taking place in France on Friday.
“Like all airlines operating to/from French airports, easyJet expects some disruptions to its flying program and has been requested by the DGAC – French CAA – to proceed to cancellations.
“If your flight is cancelled, we will notify you by SMS and email, and you will be given the option to change your flight for free, receive a voucher or a refund.
“If you are due to travel to or from France on the 16 September please check the status of your flight on Flight Tracker, which is available online or through the easyJet app.”
Air France said: “The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) has requested airlines to reduce their flight schedule from all French airports by 50%.
“Air France plans to operate around 90% of its long-haul flights, 45% of its short and medium-haul flights.”
The dispute in France comes ahead of British Airways trimming its schedule and re-timing some flights as Heathrow adjusts operations on Monday to avoid noise disruption during the state funeral of the Queen.