Flights to and from Denmark halted due to French strike, causing cancellations
In a significant industrial action that took place on July 3 and 4, 2025, French air traffic controllers, led mainly by the UNSA-ICNA union and supported by USAC-CGT, staged a strike demanding better pay, increased staffing, and improved management practices. The strike, which drew strong criticism from the government, caused widespread disruption across French airports and had a ripple effect on European air travel.
The strike resulted in the cancellation of over 1,500 flights, stranding tens of thousands of passengers during one of the busiest travel seasons — the start of French summer school holidays. The disruption was particularly severe at Paris airports, where 25-40% of flights were cancelled, and at southern airports like Nice, where cancellations reached 50%. Regional airports such as Lyon and Marseille also experienced cancellations of up to 30%.
The impact of the strikes was felt far beyond French borders, with flights in and out of France from other countries like Denmark being disrupted due to cancellations and airspace issues. Airlines servicing Denmark-France routes, including budget carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet, reported hundreds of cancellations affecting tens of thousands of passengers. Ryanair specifically noted that all flights over French airspace were impacted.
As of early Friday, 11 flights to and from France in the schedule at Copenhagen Airport remained unaffected. However, 20 flights have been cancelled on Friday due to the ongoing strikes by French air traffic controllers. A Friday departure from Billund Airport to Paris is set to depart as scheduled.
The travel chaos caused by the strikes is continuing across Europe. The DGAC aviation authority in France reported that 933 flights were cancelled on Thursday, accounting for 10% of the total flights initially scheduled. The DGAC is asking companies to cancel 40% of flights on Friday to deal with the strike, which may result in an even more severe situation compared to Thursday.
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou described the strike as "shocking", with opposition leader Jean-Louis Borloo calling it "a hostage-taking on the day everyone goes on holiday". Bayrou's counterpart, Raphael Glucksmann, stated that the strikes were "destructive" and "irresponsible".
Travelers on routes between Denmark and France should expect delays and cancellations during this period and check with airlines for updates. It is advised to monitor the situation closely and to plan accordingly to minimise inconvenience. As the situation develops, further changes in the flight schedule are possible.
The travel disruptions caused by the French air traffic controller's strike extended beyond France, affecting airlines servicing Denmark-France routes, such as Ryanair and EasyJet, with hundreds of cancellations impacting tens of thousands of passengers in Denmark. This chaotic situation in the travel industry, primarily affecting routes between Denmark and France, is prompting travelers to expect delays and cancellations during this time and to closely monitor their flights for updates. In response to the ongoing strike, the DGAC aviation authority in France has asked companies to cancel 40% of flights on Friday, potentially resulting in a more severe situation compared to Thursday.
