Ryanair and easyJet flights disrupted at Spanish airports over French air traffic control strike
Holidaymakers travelling through Murcia, Alicante and other Spanish airports face widespread delays and cancellations
A wave of cancellations and delays has hit airports across Spain, including Murcia and Alicante, as French air traffic controllers staged a two-day strike, causing major disruption to flights throughout Europe.
Tens of thousands of passengers, including many heading to or returning from their summer holidays, have seen their travel plans thrown into disarray.
The strike, led by the UNSA-ICNA union, centres on concerns over staffing levels, working conditions and the introduction of a controversial clock-in system for controllers. Despite talks earlier this week, no resolution was reached, prompting the walkout, which began on Thursday July 3 and is set to continue through Friday 4.
It comes barely a week after easyJet cabin crew strikes over unfairly low salaries forced the cancellation of dozens of flights in Spain.
France’s civil aviation authority, DGAC, has instructed airlines to reduce their schedules, leading to the cancellation of around a quarter of flights at Paris airports and half at Nice. The disruption has extended far beyond French borders due to the country’s crucial role in European airspace.
Low-cost carriers Ryanair and easyJet have been among the hardest hit. Ryanair announced the cancellation of over 170 flights, affecting more than 30,000 passengers. easyJet, for its part, has cancelled 274 services over the two-day strike period.
Flights operating through or over French airspace, including those between the UK and Spain, have been particularly impacted.
In Murcia, all outbound flights scheduled for Thursday night were cancelled at short notice, including the Gatwick to Murcia flight and its return leg.
Passengers were notified with limited time to make alternative arrangements, and some reported long delays in receiving official updates from the airline. Travellers are being advised to monitor their flight status online closely for easyJet and for Ryanair, as further disruption is likely this Friday.
Related story: easyJet adds winter flights from UK to Murcia from October
Alicante airport has also seen significant delays, especially with a backlog of incoming easyJet flights from Gatwick arriving within a short time window, raising concerns about long waits at border control.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary voiced strong criticism of the French strike, accusing controllers of “holding European families to ransom”. He called on the European Commission to implement reforms ensuring minimum service levels during strikes and protection for overflights unaffected by domestic disputes.
“This repeated disruption is unacceptable and unfair to EU passengers,” he said. “We need urgent EU action to prevent air traffic controllers from paralysing European skies every summer.”
Airlines for Europe (A4E), an industry body representing major carriers, echoed O’Leary’s concerns, calling the action “intolerable” and warning of ongoing travel chaos at the peak of the holiday season.
As the strike continues, passengers are being urged to check directly with their airline and allow extra time at airports due to the knock-on effects of delays and rescheduled services.
In other travel news, Ryanair has vowed to increase the size of the carry-on luggage allowed on its planes “in the coming weeks”.
Tel: 0034 868 353 207 (Spain) | 0044 2045 771 707 (UK)
Mobile: 0034 711 06 89 48 (WhatsApp)
Mobile: 0034 711 06 89 48 (WhatsApp)
Shuttle bus connecting Corvera Airport with key destinations, launching May 2025
Starting on May 22, 2025, Airport Buses will launch a daily shuttle transfer service connecting the Region of Murcia International Airport with key destinations across Murcia, southern Alicante and Almería, every time there is a direct flight between Corvera Airport and a destination in the UK or Ireland, plus selected European flights.Three initial routes will serve:
- La Manga route: Murcia Airport, Cabo de Palos, Playa Honda, Capfun, Mar de Cristal, Los Belones, La Manga Club, Cartagena and La Manga Strip (€12.99-€19.99/adult each way)
- Torrevieja route: Murcia Airport, Torre Pacheco, Las Terrazas de La Torre Golf Resort, La Torre Golf Resort, Roldan, ONA Mar Menor Golf Resort, Los Alcázares, Los Narejos, San Javier, Santiago de Ribera, Lo Pagán, San Pedro de Pinatar, Pilar de Horadada, Campoamor, La Zenia, Playa Flamenca, Mil Palmeras, Cabo Roig and Torrevieja (€8.99-€19.99/adult each way)
- San Juan route: Murcia Airport, Condado de Alhama, Camposol, Mazarrón Country Club, Puerto de Mazarrón, Mazarrón, Águilas, Calarreona, San Juan de los Terreros and Mar de Pulpí (€13.99-€25.99/adult each way)
Airport Buses aims to offer affordable, reliable transport while considering future expansions, including routes to Alicante Airport and additional stops across Murcia.
Children’s tickets are half price and there are also group discounts available.
Contact details
- Book online: www.airportbus.es
- Email: info@airportbus.es
- Phone (Spain): 0034 868 353 207
- Phone (UK): 0044 2045 771 707
- WhatsApp & emergencies: 0034 711 06 89 48
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