Latest news with #A4E
Local Norway
06-07-2025
- Local Norway
Hundreds of flights cancelled across Europe as travel chaos continues
Aviation authorities had to ask airlines to scrap hundreds of flights not just to-and-from France but also overflying the country as summer holidays kick off. The European Airlines for Europe (A4E) association said 1,500 flights would be cancelled on Thursday and Friday in Europe, affecting 300,000 passengers. "French air traffic control already delivers some of Europe's worst delay figures and now the actions of a minority of French air traffic control workers will needlessly disrupt the holiday plans of thousands of people in France and across Europe," said A4E chief Ourania Georgoutsakou. READ ALSO: Will travel in Europe be hit by more French air traffic control strikes this summer? The association said the strikes also caused "almost 500,000 minutes" in delays in Europe on Thursday on nearly 33,000 commercial flights. Ryanair, Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers, said it had cancelled more than 400 flights. "These strikes are unacceptable," said Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, urging the EU Commission to protect such overflights by law in case of strikes. "Of these 400 flight cancellations, 350 would not be cancelled if the EU protected overflights over France." Advertisement Paris airports worst hit Paris airports risked being even more severely affected than on the first day of the strike on Thursday, which was called by two minority unions calling for better working conditions and staffing. The timing of the strike is particularly acute with Friday the final day of school in France before the summer holidays, with many families planning an early getaway. France's DGAC aviation authority said 933 flights departing from or arriving at French airports were cancelled on Thursday, some 10 percent of the total number of flights initially scheduled. The proportion of cancellations rose to 25 percent at the main airports in Paris. But on Friday the situation risks being even more severe with the DGAC asking companies to cancel 40 percent of flights to deal with the strike. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou described the strike as "shocking". "Choosing the day when everyone goes on holiday to go on strike at air traffic control is taking the French hostage," he told BFMTV. The effects of the strike are not limited to France and the stoppage has triggered hundreds of cancellations of flights that fly over the country. LISTEN: From strikes to extreme heat - What to expect in France this summer
Local Italy
04-07-2025
- Business
- Local Italy
EU lawmakers vote to ban airlines from charging fees for hand luggage
Passengers travelling in Europe should be able to carry on board one personal item, such as a handbag, backpack or laptop and one small hand luggage without having to pay additional fees, members of the European Parliament transport committee concluded on Tuesday. The position aims to bring into EU law a judgement made by the European Court of justice, which ruled back in 2014 that the 'carrying of hand baggage cannot be made subject to a price supplement, provided that it meets reasonable requirements in terms of its weight and dimensions and complies with applicable security requirements'. Currently many low-cost airlines allow passengers to only take one small on-board item for free and charge extra for other hand baggage. The rules vary between airlines and different countries. Tuesday's vote appears to be good news for passengers but it is not final. The change will still have to be endorsed by all MEPs in the full parliament and green lighted by European governments in the EU Council. Airlines against the move Last year the Spanish Ministry of Social Rights and Consumption fined five airlines €179 million for such practices following a complaint by the Spanish consumer organisation OCU (Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios). Consumer groups also lodged a complaint with the European Commission arguing that the EU top court recognised hand luggage as 'an essential aspect of passengers' carriage,' said European consumer organisation BEUC. But airlines condemned Tuesday's vote as a limit to 'consumer choice' that will result in 'higher costs for millions of passengers who neither need nor use an extra trolley bag.' Airlines for Europe (A4E), the group representing major air carriers at the EU level, said that 'travelling light is the choice for hundreds of millions of European passengers'. In Spain, for instance, over 50 million passengers 'didn't need an additional piece of cabin baggage last year and had the choice not to have this included as part of their airfare," A4E said. A4E Managing Director Ourania Georgoutsakou said: 'What's next? Mandatory popcorn and drinks as part of your cinema ticket? The European Parliament should let travellers decide what services they want, what services they pay for and, importantly, what services they don't.' The measure would apply to all flights departing or arriving within the 27-nation European Union. Children must be seated next to accompanying passengers The proposed change to hand luggage fees was part of a package of amendments to passenger rights when travelling by air, rail, sea, coach and inland waterways put forward by the European Commission in 203. The committee also voted to ensure that children under 12 years old are seated next to their accompanying passenger free of charge. People accompanying passengers with reduced mobility should also travel with them for free, and there should be compensation rights in case of loss or damage to their equipment or injury to assistance animals, MEPs said. Italian MEP Matteo Ricci, who is in charge of the file, said the new rules aim to 'protect all passengers, with special attention to persons with disabilities and reduced mobility' and clarify the definition of free hand luggage 'up to a maximum size of 100cm.' Rules for intermediaries New rules also aim to clarify the role of intermediaries, such as ticket vendors or travel agencies, in the reimbursement of air passengers for cancellations, delays or denied boarding. According to the parliament transport committee, these companies should inform passengers at the time of booking about the full cost of the air ticket, intermediation or service fees, and the reimbursement process. This should not take longer than 14 days or, past the deadline, it will be for the air carrier to process the reimbursement within 7 days. Multimodal journey In a separate vote, MEPs also backed the proposal to introduce compensation for disruptions in journeys involving at least two modes of transport, for example plane and bus, or train, ferry and plane. If a customer buys a single contract involving multiple transport modes from one operator, and a missed connection results in a delay of 60 minutes or more, the passenger should be offered meals, refreshment and a hotel stay free of charge. 'Switching between transport modes should not mean losing protection against missed connections and assistance', MEPs said. 'Our proposals are intended to strengthen passenger confidence and encourage companies to develop more attractive multimodal offers,' said German MEP Jens Gieseke, who leads on this part. Question on compensation In parallel, the European Parliament and Council are discussing a revision of compensation rules in case of flight delays or cancellations. On Tuesday, MEPs also voted in favour of a common reimbursement form in case of travel disruption, with airlines requested to send passengers the pre-filled form within 48 hours following the problem - 'or activate alternative automatic communication channels'. They also voted on a well a defined list of extraordinary circumstances, such as natural disasters or war, under which airlines can avoid having to pay compensation.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
04-07-2025
- First Post
France air traffic strike disrupts European flights, over 500,000 affected
The timing of the strike is especially acute, with Friday being the last day of school in France before the summer vacation and many families contemplating an early departure read more A departures information board is seen at Orly airport, near Paris, as French air traffic controllers launched a two-day strike to demand better working conditions. AP On Friday, French air traffic controllers went on strike for the second day in a row, causing hundreds of thousands of travellers to miss flights not just to and from France, but also overflying the country as the summer vacation season begins. Paris airports were hit even harder than on the first day of the strike on Thursday, which was organised by two minority unions demanding improved working conditions and staffing. The timing of the strike is especially acute, with Friday being the last day of school in France before the summer vacation and many families contemplating an early departure. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to France's DGAC aviation authority, 933 flights departing or arriving at French airports were cancelled on Thursday, accounting for around 10% of the total number of flights originally scheduled. At Paris' principal airports, the cancellation rate has risen to 25 percent. Around 1,000 flights were cancelled on Friday morning after the DGAC requested that firms postpone 40% of their flights to deal with the strike. The government has criticised the walkout, with Prime Minister Francois Bayrou telling BFMTV that 'choosing the day when everyone goes on holiday to go on strike at air traffic control is taking the French hostage.' 'Unacceptable' Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot told CNews that 'yesterday and today, 272 people in our country will impact the well-being of more than 500,000 people'. 'This is unacceptable,' he said. UNSA-ICNA, the second biggest labour group in the sector, launched the action to protest against 'chronic understaffing', the planned introduction of a clock-in system, outdated equipment and 'toxic management practices that are incompatible with the requirements of calm and safety'. It was joined by the third largest union, USAC-CGT but the main union, SNCTA, has not joined the action. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The effects of the strike are not limited to France and the stoppage has triggered hundreds of cancellations of flights that fly over the country. The European Airlines for Europe (A4E) association said 1,500 flights would be cancelled on Thursday and Friday in Europe, affecting 300,000 passengers. 'French air traffic control already delivers some of Europe's worst delay figures and now the actions of a minority of French air traffic control workers will needlessly disrupt the holiday plans of thousands of people in France and across Europe,' said A4E chief Ourania Georgoutsakou. The association said the strikes also caused 'almost 500,000 minutes' in delays in Europe on Thursday on nearly 33,000 commercial flights. 'Stuck' Ryanair, Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers, said it had cancelled more than 400 flights. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary urged the EU Commission to protect such overflights by law in case of strikes. 'Of these 400 flight cancellations, 350 would not be cancelled if the EU protected overflights over France,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At Paris airports, passengers stared at departure boards loaded with cancellations to assess their options. 'I came here on holiday to celebrate my wife's 40th birthday, but now I'm stuck at Charles de Gaulle Airport,' said Julien Barthelemy, a passenger travelling to Marseille from New York, late Thursday. 'I'm currently on the waiting list for three flights and am waiting for a spot on the next one to become available.' Lara, 30, was scheduled to take a flight from Paris to Berlin with her partner to visit friends. 'The flight was scheduled for Thursday evening, but we were informed on Wednesday that it had been cancelled. We had been able to get another ticket for free, for Friday evening, but that was also cancelled,' she told AFP, adding they had to buy more expensive train tickets. Around 30 flights at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam were cancelled while others were delayed on Friday due to the strikes, an airport spokesperson said in an email to AFP. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Around 30 flights have been cancelled today by airlines as a precaution,' the spokesperson said. 'We expect a return to regular operations this weekend as the strikes are expected to end.' Airline KLM said the strikes have caused operational irregularities including delays and two flight cancellations. 'Where needed customers have been rebooked on the next available flight,' an airline spokesman said.
NDTV
04-07-2025
- NDTV
Second Day Of Travel Chaos As French Air Traffic Controllers Strike
French air traffic controllers staged the second day of a two-day strike on Friday, prompting the cancellation of flights affecting hundreds of thousands of people not just to-and-from France but also overflying the country as summer holidays kick off. Paris airports were even more severely affected than on the first day of the strike on Thursday, which was called by two minority unions calling for better working conditions and staffing. The timing of the strike is particularly acute with Friday the final day of school in France before the summer holidays and many families planning an early getaway. France's DGAC aviation authority said 933 flights departing from or arriving at French airports were cancelled on Thursday, some 10 percent of the total number of flights initially scheduled. The proportion of cancellations rose to 25 percent at the main airports in Paris. Around 1,000 flights had been cancelled on Friday morning, after the DGAC asked companies to cancel 40 percent of flights to deal with the strike. The government has condemned the strike, with Prime Minister Francois Bayrou telling BFMTV that "choosing the day when everyone goes on holiday to go on strike at air traffic control is taking the French hostage." 'Unacceptable' Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot told CNews that "yesterday and today, 272 people in our country will impact the well-being of more than 500,000 people". "This is unacceptable," he said. UNSA-ICNA, the second biggest labour group in the sector, launched the action to protest against "chronic understaffing", the planned introduction of a clock-in system, outdated equipment and "toxic management practices that are incompatible with the requirements of calm and safety". It was joined by the third largest union, USAC-CGT but the main union, SNCTA, has not joined the action. The effects of the strike are not limited to France and the stoppage has triggered hundreds of cancellations of flights that fly over the country. The European Airlines for Europe (A4E) association said 1,500 flights would be cancelled on Thursday and Friday in Europe, affecting 300,000 passengers. "French air traffic control already delivers some of Europe's worst delay figures and now the actions of a minority of French air traffic control workers will needlessly disrupt the holiday plans of thousands of people in France and across Europe," said A4E chief Ourania Georgoutsakou. The association said the strikes also caused "almost 500,000 minutes" in delays in Europe on Thursday on nearly 33,000 commercial flights. 'Stuck' Ryanair, Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers, said it had cancelled more than 400 flights. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary urged the EU Commission to protect such overflights by law in case of strikes. "Of these 400 flight cancellations, 350 would not be cancelled if the EU protected overflights over France," he said. At Paris airports, passengers stared at departure boards loaded with cancellations to assess their options. "I came here on holiday to celebrate my wife's 40th birthday, but now I'm stuck at Charles de Gaulle Airport," said Julien Barthelemy, a passenger travelling to Marseille from New York, late Thursday. "I'm currently on the waiting list for three flights and am waiting for a spot on the next one to become available." Lara, 30, was scheduled to take a flight from Paris to Berlin with her partner to visit friends. "The flight was scheduled for Thursday evening, but we were informed on Wednesday that it had been cancelled. We had been able to get another ticket for free, for Friday evening, but that was also cancelled," she told AFP, adding they had to buy more expensive train tickets. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Bangkok Post
04-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
Travel chaos continues in Europe as French controllers strike
PARIS - French air traffic controllers staged the second day of a two-day strike on Friday, prompting the cancellation of flights affecting hundreds of thousands of people, not just to and from France but also overflying the country as summer holidays kick off. Paris airports were even more severely affected than on the first day of the strike on Thursday, which was called by two minority unions calling for better working conditions and staffing. The timing of the strike is particularly acute with Friday the final day of school in France before the summer holidays and many families planning an early getaway. The French aviation authority DGAC said 933 flights departing from or arriving at French airports were cancelled on Thursday, some 10% of the total number of flights initially scheduled. The proportion of cancellations rose to 25% at the main airports in Paris. Around 1,000 flights had been cancelled on Friday morning, after the DGAC asked companies to cancel 40% of flights to deal with the strike. The government has condemned the strike, with Prime Minister Francois Bayrou telling BFMTV that 'choosing the day when everyone goes on holiday to go on strike at air traffic control is taking the French hostage.' 'Unacceptable' Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot told CNews that 'yesterday and today, 272 people in our country will impact the well-being of more than 500,000 people'. 'This is unacceptable,' he said. UNSA-ICNA, the second biggest labour group in the sector, launched the action to protest against 'chronic understaffing', the planned introduction of a clock-in system, outdated equipment and 'toxic management practices that are incompatible with the requirements of calm and safety'. It was joined by the third largest union, USAC-CGT but the main union, SNCTA, has not joined the action. The effects of the strike are not limited to France and the stoppage has triggered hundreds of cancellations of flights that fly over the country. The European Airlines for Europe (A4E) association said 1,500 flights would be cancelled on Thursday and Friday in Europe, affecting 300,000 passengers. 'French air traffic control already delivers some of Europe's worst delay figures and now the actions of a minority of French air traffic control workers will needlessly disrupt the holiday plans of thousands of people in France and across Europe,' said A4E chief Ourania Georgoutsakou. The association said the strikes also caused 'almost 500,000 minutes' in delays in Europe on Thursday on nearly 33,000 commercial flights. 'Stuck' Ryanair, Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers, said it had cancelled more than 400 flights. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary urged the EU Commission to protect such overflights by law in case of strikes. 'Of these 400 flight cancellations, 350 would not be cancelled if the EU protected overflights over France,' he said. At Paris airports, passengers stared at departure boards loaded with cancellations to assess their options. 'I came here on holiday to celebrate my wife's 40th birthday, but now I'm stuck at Charles de Gaulle Airport,' said Julien Barthelemy, a passenger travelling to Marseille from New York, late Thursday. 'I'm currently on the waiting list for three flights and am waiting for a spot on the next one to become available.' Lara, 30, was scheduled to take a flight from Paris to Berlin with her partner to visit friends. 'The flight was scheduled for Thursday evening, but we were informed on Wednesday that it had been cancelled. We had been able to get another ticket for free, for Friday evening, but that was also cancelled,' she told AFP, adding they had to buy more expensive train tickets.
