ENAIRE is working to minimise the impact of the air traffic control strike in France

French air traffic control personnel have confirmed they are taking part in the general strike in France, providing minimum services from 6 pm today, Monday until 7 am on 8 February.

This strike is expected to have a significant impact on both the European and ENAIRE network, and more specifically in the areas of responsibility of ENAIRE's Madrid, Barcelona, Palma and Levante control centres.

The measures that the French Air Navigation Service Provider (DSNA) is taking with EUROCONTROL and with collateral service providers, such as ENAIRE in the case of Spain, are based primarily on the recommendation given to airspace users to re-plan routes to avoid flying through French airspace.

As a result of the minimum services provided by DSNA, the capacity to open airspace sectors and the demand it will be able to accept may be limited.  The impact of the reduced control services in French airspace during this period could cause traffic to be re-routed to avoid French airspace, as well as delays due to the lower capacity resulting from the diminished control staff.

Airlines will be able to assess the alternatives available through the various updates and publications of the European network manager to minimise, to the extent possible, the impact on their flights. Passengers are asked to check the status of their flight with their airline.

In an effort to be proactive, ENAIRE is in constant contact with its French counterpart and the European Network Manager (EUROCONROL) to help reduce the impact on airlines and passengers. It is participating with EUROCONTROL in all its mitigation activities and making available to airlines and associations all the information on the measures and/or any changes as soon as it is published. ENAIRE has also activated its incident management procedures and reinforced services at its air control centres, especially in the North Central, East and Balearic Regions.