ALERT Indian flyers! French air traffic to reduce by 50 percent on THIS day over strike

Flying to France this week? French air traffic to reduce by 50 percent on THIS day, air traffic controllers to go on strike, reports IANS.

The aviation sector has been going through turbulent times for a while now. From IndiGo staff taking mass sick leave to flight services being disrupted in France on September 16, the aviation sector is facing a tough time globally. The air traffic in France will be severely disrupted this Friday (September 16) due to a strike over wages, the French Civil Aviation Authority (FCAA) has warned. French air traffic controllers are taking action to demand higher wages due to soaring inflation. The national strike will last from 6 am on Friday to 6 am on Saturday, DGCA announced on September 13. 

In addition to calling for higher wages, air traffic controllers will also use this strike to force authorities to open up employment in aviation, especially in air traffic control, Xinhua news agency reported.

"From 2029 to 2035, a third of the body will be retiring, it is imperative to anticipate and plan recruitment," the National Union of Air Traffic Controllers (SNCTA) said, adding that "failure to do so will have inevitable consequences in terms of public service, working conditions and mobility."

The SNCTA and the DGAC have called on airlines to reduce their flight services by 50 percent on Friday, both in Metropolitan France and in the French overseas territories. Passengers are being advised to postpone their trips. Meanwhile, SNCTA said on Tuesday that a second strike could be expected between September 28 and 30.

(With inputs from IANS)