Lorraine: Simon Calder’s ‘biggest worry’ over strikes

French air traffic control staff are currently taking part in strike action over pension reform. Simon Calder said the action was his “biggest worry” for holidays this Easter.

Simon told Ranvir on ITV’s Lorraine: “We’ve just seen the Italian air traffic controllers going on strike, there are easyJet workers in Portugal who are striking.

“Crucially and this is my biggest worry, French air traffic controllers have been going on strike for weeks because of their protests against President Macron’s plans to raise the pension age.

“Because France is on the way to all our favourites, to Italy, to Portugal, to Spain, to North Africa, unfortunately, that is having a heck of an impact and we are seeing delays already today.”

French air traffic control strikes can impact Britons flying to top European destinations if their flight has to pass through France’s air space.

Ryanair has started a petition calling for staff from other countries to be able to manage France’s air space.

The budget airline’s CEO Michael O’Leary said: “We are all collectively facing daily cancellations of flights that aren’t even operating to and from France, while the French protect their domestic flights.”

easyJet posted a warning on its website saying: “We have been advised of National Strikes in France in March.

“Air traffic control staff are joining the strike action and therefore like all airlines, our flights to and from French airports, as well as those flying in French airspace, could be affected.

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“We expect that there will be delays and some disruption due to the industrial action, therefore we advise all customers to check the status of their flight on our flight tracker either on our mobile app or website.

“Please also be aware that public transport services may be affected by the strike. We recommend all customers allow plenty of extra time to get to the airport and consider alternative transport options where possible.

“Although this situation is outside of our control, we would like to apologise to any affected passengers for the inconvenience caused.”

easyJet staff in Portugal are also taking part in industrial action which is due to end after April 3.

In the UK, British Airways flights could be impacted by strike action by security workers at Heathrow’s Terminal 5.

Simon Calder said: “British Airways is cancelling dozens of flights every day, but you should have been told in good time.”

Border Force officials are also due to go on strike at the end of April while passport workers have started a five-week strike today.

Despite the industrial action, another travel expert has advised British tourists to stay calm for the Easter holidays.

Simon Hagger, deputy CEO at Holiday Extras said: “So while there are strikes at Heathrow this Easter, and probably strikes ongoing in France, so far strikes have had far less impact on travel than everyone has thought.

“It looks increasingly likely that worrying about strikes is more of a risk to everyone’s much-needed time away than the strikes themselves, and our recommendation is that with a bit of preparation and planning people should still be able to enjoy their much-needed time off.”

British tourists should check the status of their flight online or on the airline’s app before they travel to the airport. Airlines should contact passengers directly if their flight is cancelled or delayed.

Simon Calder has also advised British tourists to “double check” their passport’s expiry date before booking a holiday.

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