Cantillon: Air traffic controllers to attend forum – if not on strike

Global aviation groups will gather in Dublin next week for the International Air Transport Association's annual conference. Presumably one issue up for discussion will be the frequency with which some European air traffic controllers, led by the French, go on strike. According to industry body Airlines for Europe (A4E), whose members include Ryanair and Aer Lingus parent IAG, strikes in Greece, Italy, Belgium and France in March, April and May have caused more than 2,500 cancellations so far this year.

There are more on the way. The French will next week hit their 48th strike day since 2009 when they begin a three-day stoppage from June 3rd to 5th. There is a good chance that they will also target the European Football Championships to ensure maximum impact.

It is not only flights in and out of France that suffer, but also those going through its airspace, thereby causing cancellations and disruptions.

Banning air traffic controllers in France or anywhere else from striking is too draconian. A better suggestion is that instead of simply pulling the trigger every time there is a dispute, both sides first enter some form of arbitration.

The difficulty is that no one can impose this from outside. The EU regulates some areas of workers’ rights but has no role in member states’ industrial relations. So that solution is down to the French government and legislature.

One suggestion is to to allow neighbouring air traffic control authorities to handle overflights through French airspace, limiting disruption to flights taking off from and landing there, but it, too, could take some time. In the meantime, unless you are a football fan, it might be an idea to avoid going to France at all this summer.