France: Disruptions from air traffic controllers' strike to persist into March 11 as nationwide strikes and protests continue /update 3

Event

France's Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC) states that disruptions from the air traffic controllers' (ATC) strike will continue through at least 06:00 March 11; the strike began March 6. DGAC has requested that on March 9-10 carriers reduce flight schedules by 20 percent at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and by 30 percent at Paris Orly Airport (ORY), Paris-Beauvais Airport (BVA), Bordeaux–Merignac Airport (BOD), Lille Airport (LIL), Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport (LYS), Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE), Marseille Provence Airport (MRS), Montpellier-Mediterranee Airport (MPL), Nice Cote d'Azur Airport (NCE), and Toulouse–Blagnac Airport (TLS). Further short-notice delays and cancellations to flight schedules are possible across France through March 11.

The ATC work stoppage forms part of a larger series of nationwide strikes called by a coalition of major labor unions, opposition political parties, and activist groups denouncing the government's proposed pension reforms that would raise the retirement age. The major organizing unions focused the call for strikes around March 7-8, prompting major business and transport disruptions nationwide; disruptions from ongoing sector-specific strikes will likely continue through at least March 11.

Disruptions, including cancellations and delays, are likely on French National Railway Company (SNCF) and Parisien Public Transport Operator (RATP) services through at least March 10. SNCF has said that it will operate an average of around 33 percent of TGV and Ouigo services, in addition to 75 percent of Eurostar and 66 percent of Thalys international services. RATP has stated that disruptions will ease each subsequent day. Additionally, local public transport strikes will almost certainly prompt disruptions to metro, bus, tram, and local rail services.

Unions representing road transport workers previously called on members to strike from 22:00 March 5 for an indefinite period of time. The strike is resulting in disruptions to public road transport and road freight delivery services nationwide; reduced availability of certain goods is possible as a result. Organizers have called for participants to engage in go-slow and roadblock demonstrations for the duration of the strike; likely locations for these protests include industrial areas, highway toll and border crossings, and main roads around major cities.

Activists are likely to stage related demonstrations in town and city centers nationwide. Attendance at larger gatherings can reach into the thousands; the Ministry of the Interior estimates that around 81,000 individuals took part in demonstrations in Paris March 7. Police will likely deploy to monitor and facilitate all demonstrations. Large crowds and associated security measures, potentially including road closures and movement restrictions, will likely prompt business and transport disruptions in affected areas. Most actions will probably pass off peacefully, though clashes between activists and police cannot be ruled out; riot police may resort to tear gas or similar measures against unruly crowds. Bystanders are unlikely to be directly targeted in any violence but would face an indirect threat of physical harm.

Advice

Confirm all transport reservations as well as public- and private-sector appointments through March 11, including at public health centers and other government facilities. Do not check out of accommodations until onward travel is confirmed. Avoid all demonstrations as a routine security precaution and to mitigate personal exposure to any associated disruptions. Allow extra time for travel in major cities. Heed instructions from local authorities and leave the area at the first sign of a confrontation.