The main trade unions in France are calling for a strike on Tuesday to protest against the proposal to raise the retirement age to 64.
Authorities will receive notification of the strike two days in advance, and SNCF train services are expected to be disrupted, along with potential difficulties for public transportation in Ile-de-France.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) has also asked airlines to reduce flights by 20% at Charles-de-Gaulle airport and 30% at other airports, including Nice, Toulouse, Orly, Lille, Beauvais, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, and Montpellier, on both March 7 and 8.
Previous strikes in France have resulted in significant disruptions, as workers from various sectors including education, energy, and transport have walked out during their work schedules to express their concerns. This has impacted a number of airlines such as Eurostar, Ryanair, British Airways, and easyJet, who were forced to cancel flights.
During these strikes, 1,000 officers working at UK Borders also walked out, leading to major disruptions at Calais and Dunkirk ports, as well as the Eurotunnel terminal.
The issue of strikes is not unique to France, as other European countries have also dealt with disruptions in air travel due to staff shortages or workers’ complaints about their working conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic has added to the challenges, as airlines have reduced staff due to cost-cutting measures in 2020 and 2021, while travel demand has seen a robust recovery. Belgium, Portugal, and Italy have been among the most affected countries.
