French air traffic strike

[gpm]

That's my daughter and grandkids been sitting on the plane on the Tarmac at Prestwick for 2 hours now, on the Palma flight.No matter their grievances, they really are a shower, was it Reagan who sacked all the ones who went on strike years ago? Bring back Ronnie.

[Georgiebear]

I feel for them this happened to us last May when they went on strike we were 4 hours late taking off, 2 hours sat on the coach at Palma waiting for other delayed flights, we made it to the Pirates show with 20 mins to spare, so turned out well in the end. Just hope they get a slot soon

[Tangoman]

I know how you both feel, having slept at the airport a few times over the years for a 7.00 p.m. flight.

However, I also must remember that the air traffic staff only have this one weapon to make their point. But NOT fun for us!!!

[Nick]

However, I also must remember that the air traffic staff only have this one weapon to make their point. But NOT fun for us!!![/QUOTE]



Oh come on, there are plenty of other ways of showing your annoyance at alleged unfair treatment. For example using your days off to hold a demonstration, negotiating, media etc.

It's nothing less than holding people to ransom and the poor paying customer suffers again. Typical French attitude IMO.

[Bekki]

We are over at the moment and have noticed that there's another strike planned for 16th to 18th April. Looks very likely to go ahead so have changed our flights so we avoid it. Sad to be going a couple of days earlier but would rather be safe than sorry

[pollensa]

Oh dear. What a pain. Please can you let us know where you've found the dates of future planned strikes. Am hoping we miss them.

[mike_dublin]

Originally Posted by pollensa

Oh dear. What a pain. Please can you let us know where you've found the dates of future planned strikes. Am hoping we miss them.

Easyjet cancels nearly 600 flights - BBC News

Easyjet cancels nearly 600 flights

...

Air traffic controllers are planning further industrial action from 16 to 18 April and from 29 April to 2 May - both key holiday periods.
...

[pollensa]

Found them:

"There is likely to be little let up to the disruption. French air-traffic controllers have scheduled two more stoppages, from April 16th to the 18th, and then April 29th to May 2nd." (France's air-traffic control strike: Au printemps | The Economist)

Oh dear. We are due to come home on 29th. May be staying a bit longer ... Or getting to the airport. Finding out it has been cancelled. Re-hiring a car & going back to PP (as we did a while ago...).

[Sparky]

Does anyone know why they are taking this action .

[pollensa]

It's to do with raising retirement age from 57 to 59 Limits of control: the age debate behind the French air traffic controller strike | News | The Guardian but please no politics here. I guess I know what a lot of us think..

[Sparky]

Thanks Zelda. Will the airlines have to compensate their passengers for delays?.

[pollensa]

Originally Posted by sparky

Thanks Zelda. Will the airlines have to compensate their passengers for delays?.

See this (for Ryanair) http://www.ryanair.com/doc/faqs/eu261-en.pdf I don't think that you have a 'Right to Compensation' as it involves a 'labour dispute' but you do have a 'Right to Care':

2. RIGHT TO REIMBURSEMENT OR RE-ROUTING
If you are denied boarding (whether voluntarily or involuntarily) or your flight is cancelled, you are additionally entitled to choose between:
(a) reimbursement in accordance with Article 7(3) of the Regulation; or
(b) re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to your final destination at the earliest opportunity; or
(c) re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to your final destination at a later date at your convenience, subject to availability of seats.
If your flight is delayed by at least five hours and you elect not to travel, you are entitled to receive reimbursement as set out in point (a) above.

3. RIGHT TO CARE
If you are involuntarily denied boarding or if your flight is cancelled or delayed by more than 2 hours, we will offer you, free of charge:
a) meals and refreshment vouchers in reasonable relation to the waiting time, as long as it will not further delay the departure of the aircraft;
b) two telephone calls, telex or fax messages or e-mails;
c) hotel accommodation in cases where a stay of one or more nights becomes necessary, or where a stay additional to that intended by you becomes necessary;
d) transport between the airport and place of accommodation (hotel or other).
If your flight is delayed as specified under ‘Flight Delays’ above or cancelled without notice being given to you prior to your arrival at the airport of departure Ryanair will offer you items (a) and (b) above. If, as a result of the delay or your being rerouted following a cancellation, your new time of departure is reasonably expected to be at least the day after the original day of departure, we will also offer you items (c) and (d) above. Where it is not feasible for Ryanair to arrange the care set out above, Ryanair will reimburse you for your reasonable receipted expenses upon application


So previously I think we could have claimed the additional car hire to get back to accommodation & then on to airport but we didn't realise. We weren't offered meal vouchers or anything last time. I carry the information sheet with us now!

[mike_dublin]

Originally Posted by sparky

Thanks Zelda. Will the airlines have to compensate their passengers for delays?.

Q&A: French air traffic controllers’ strike

... Under EU Regulation 261 airlines must offer passengers affected by cancellations a full refund or a rerouting on the next available flight or at a later time that suits the passenger. If you opt for a refund the airline’s responsibility to you ends. If you ask to be put on the next available flight then the airline must provide care and assistance until you can be accommodated on an alternative flight.
...

How to strike back when industrial action leaves air travellers stranded | Money | The Guardian

How to strike back when industrial action leaves air travellers stranded

...

Specialist aviation compensation lawyers Bott & Co tells Money that airlines unwittingly caught up in the chaos have to provide food and hotel accommodation where a stay of one night or more becomes necessary – up to the point it can get you home. Airlines, however, rarely stick to the letter of the law.

...

“Whilst consumers who are caught up in the travel chaos caused by the air traffic control strikes may not able to claim monetary compensation, EU Regulation 261/2004 still offers a certain degree of protection..."
...

Despite these rules, affected passengers this week largely found themselves on their own.
...

...expect a battle over significant hotel bills incurred due to the strike.

[Sparky]

So the airlines will be out of pocket as they were with the "ash cloud" , they will obviously pass this cost onto passengers in the future. It all adds up to one thing guys.....flight costs will increase again .

[graham]

Travelled back from Palma to LGW today. No delays only easyJet. All fine.