French ATC strike cancelled. Italian Apr 21 strike cancelled, but Belgium Apr 22 strike is still on.
The threat of large-scale disruption has been lifted from the skies of Europe. French air-traffic controllers have called off a planned four-day strike, due to begin on 29 April. And their counterparts in Italy have called off a four-hour stoppage planned for 21 April, apart from controllers at two airports.
Eurocontrol, which coordinates European skies, announced: “We have been informed that the French ATC strike called for 29/4 to 2/5 has been cancelled.” A strike earlier this month led to the cancellation of several thousand flights due to fly to, from or over France.
The main controllers’ union, the SNCTA, said it was lifting its strike threat because of assurances made by the government and air-traffic management. But it warned it will be “extremely vigilant” about the promises made in the past week of negotiations.
France handles more flights than any other country in Europe, including almost all flights between the UK and western Mediterranean destinations.
In Italy, a planned strike for 21 April between 1pm and 5pm has been cancelled, except for controllers in Ancona and Verona.
Travellers to Belgium on 22 April will find widespread disruption, with a general strike called for the day. Eurostar has cancelled all its services to and from Brussels.