France ATC Strike Ascension May 2026: Up to 75% of Flights Cancelled at Orly

Why is the SNCTA striking in May 2026?

The SNCTA (Syndicat National des Contrôleurs du Trafic Aérien), the majority union within the DGAC, announced on Tuesday April 23, 2026 a new strike notice targeting the May bank holiday weekends. This follows a series of disputes that began in April: after strikes on April 18–19 and April 25 (described as a « record mobilisation »), the union has given the authorities 15 days to « commit to finding solutions » before triggering the strike.

At the heart of the dispute: a major restructuring of the DSNA (Air Navigation Services Directorate) which the SNCTA contests for lack of adequate social safeguards. The union is demanding a 25% pay catch-up by 2027 to offset inflation, a doubling of the Specific Qualification Allowance (ISQ, currently ~€1,000/month), and social support measures for the territorial reorganisation. Conciliation formally broke down « particularly on the issue of social support », according to the SNCTA.

Context matters to understand the potential scale: in July 2025, during a similar strike, 1,200 flights were cancelled and 125,000 passengers were affected at Orly and Roissy-CDG alone, according to the CEO of Aéroports de Paris. This is the reality that makes this strike notice particularly serious during such a busy travel period.

The DGAC mechanism: cancellation percentages imposed by decree

During an air traffic controllers’ strike, the Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile (DGAC) sets mandatory cancellation rates imposed on airlines — not the airlines themselves. These quotas are based on the impact of the strike on air traffic. Based on the April 25, 2024 strike precedent (a comparable situation), the following rates were required:

These figures apply to all airlines operating from France: Air France, easyJet, Transavia, Ryanair, Vueling, Volotea, TUIfly and all European low-cost carriers. Connecting flights at Roissy-CDG and Orly are particularly vulnerable, as a cancelled short-haul flight can cause passengers to miss their long-haul connections.

Note: the Capo-Canellas law of 2023, which requires each controller to declare their participation in a strike 48 hours in advance, allows airlines to identify very precisely the number of flights they can operate. As a result, cancellations are communicated to passengers within 24 hours of their flight, sometimes earlier. Keep an eye on notifications from your travel app.

EC Regulation 261/2004: what you get (and what you don’t)

An air traffic controllers’ strike is legally classified as an « extraordinary circumstance » under EC Regulation 261/2004. This means your airline is exempt from paying the flat-rate compensation normally owed for cancellations (€250 to €600 depending on distance). This is not unfair — it is the law, as the strike is external to the airline.

However: you still have important rights. In the event of a flight cancellation, whatever the cause, EC Regulation 261/2004 requires the airline to offer you the choice between:

• Full ticket refund within 7 days — even if your ticket was initially non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
• Re-routing to your final destination on the next available flight, at no additional cost.
• Return flight to your point of departure if you are already at a connection and the rest of your journey no longer makes sense.

In the event of a lengthy wait at the airport, the airline is also required to provide: 2 free communications (email, telephone), meals and refreshments proportionate to the wait, and hotel accommodation + transport if an overnight delay is necessary.

What if my flight is delayed but not cancelled?

In the event of a delay of 5 hours or more, you can request a full refund of your ticket — even on a short-haul flight. For delays under 5 hours caused by an ATC strike, you are not entitled to any financial compensation. Airport assistance is still due from 2 hours’ delay on flights under 1,500 km, and from 3 hours on longer flights.

5-step action plan for affected travellers

The strike notice has been filed. Your flight may be at risk. Here is what you should do right now, even before knowing whether the strike will actually happen.

• 1. Activate flight alerts on your airline’s app and/or on FlightAware, Flightradar24 or TravelPerk. You will be notified as soon as a cancellation is confirmed.
• 2. Check your contact details in your booking record (email + phone). Airlines send cancellation notifications by email and SMS — if your details are incorrect, you will miss the alert.
• 3. Identify alternative flights now, before the strike is confirmed — options fill up quickly once cancellations are announced. Find possible replacement flights on your route.
• 4. Look into overland alternatives for destinations reachable by train (see next section). Book refundable options to stay flexible.
• 5. Don’t cancel anything yourself. If your flight is ultimately maintained or the strike is suspended at the last minute (as in October 2025), you will travel as planned. If the strike happens, you retain your refund or re-routing rights.

On travel insurance: if you took out cancellation insurance before the strike notice was filed (i.e., before April 23, 2026), the strike is in principle covered. If you take out insurance now, the claim is generally excluded as the risk was foreseeable at the time of subscription. Read your insurer’s terms carefully.

All options by destination

If your flight is at risk or you prefer to secure your trip now, several alternatives offer comparable connections to the most popular European destinations during the May bank holidays.

For longer-haul destinations (Morocco, Greece, Portugal, Canary Islands), overland alternatives are limited. In that case, opt for free re-routing rather than a refund — replacement flights to these destinations can be rare and expensive if you had to buy one yourself.

Don’t overlook carpooling via BlaBlaCar, which offers international routes (Paris–Barcelona, Paris–Amsterdam, Paris–London via ferry) at very competitive fares during airline strikes, when demand surges. Also check alternative airports near your departure point (Beauvais-Tillé, Vatry) which may be less impacted.