New "hotspot" in Europe

SGGP 31/03/2023 06:26

During the European Union (EU) summit in Brussels, Belgium, the general strike in France became a new "hot topic" causing concern across Europe.

Protesters march in Toulouse, France, on March 23, 2023.

Aviation leaders are calling for action to mitigate the impact as the travel schedules of thousands of passengers are at risk of being delayed or canceled due to a strike by French air traffic control workers protesting pension reforms in the country.

In addition, airlines are also urging long-term reforms to the fragmented EU airspace, which is currently divided along national borders, leading to numerous disruptions.

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said that strikes in France have affected many flights through the country's airspace, disrupting services between countries such as routes connecting the busy tourist markets of the UK and Spain.

The CEO of Ryanair argues that airlines are legally obligated to compensate passengers for prolonged flight disruptions or cancellations, but cannot recover fines imposed by aviation authorities when airspace is closed.

Mr. O'Leary also expressed concern that issues related to air traffic control would become even more prevalent in the coming months.

Tensions between airlines and French air traffic control authorities have occurred before, but this year they are particularly severe due to mass strikes by French citizens protesting pension reforms. French air traffic control says it has implemented mandatory minimum service levels to accommodate some flights, but the aviation industry wants these regulations applied to flights through French airspace, as well as domestic flights.

Strikes are not unique to France; they frequently occur during peak travel seasons in Germany and the UK, causing airlines headaches as they seek solutions to mitigate losses. Most strikes stem from disputes over wages and working conditions between workers and employers. The European Commission (EC) has spent years researching and developing a long-delayed reform measure called "European Common Skies." EU Commissioner for Transport Adina-Ioana Valean hopes this topic will see progress by the end of this year.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/diem-nong-moi-o-chau-au-post684059.html