Ryanair petition – protecting flights and the EU single market during air traffic control strikes

Priority question for written answer P-001263/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
Alfred Sant (S&D)

To date in 2023, French air traffic controllers have gone on strike for a total of 39 days, forcing the cancellation of thousands of flights.

Airline company Ryanair claims that France is using minimum service legislation to protect French flights exclusively during these strikes, while overflights, none of which are flying to/from France, suffer from these cancellations.

The approach by French authorities, if confirmed, is having a clear negative impact on the single market.

In this regard:

• 1.Does the Commission intend to investigate the treatment of non-French flights passing over French air space?
• 2.How does it intend to protect flights overflying French airspace during ongoing French air traffic control strikes?
• 3.Is it planning any sort of recommendation to Member States to guarantee air transport connections for overflights during strike periods?

Submitted: 19.4.2023