France strike: Flight cancellations on 18 and 19 September – what rights do travelers have?

A general strike has just restricted travel in many places in France, and some unions have already called for another strike.

The strikes are expected to affect air and rail travel, as well as public transport. It is expected that this strike will hit travel even harder than the first general strike, in which some of the larger unions did not participate.

The unions in France have called for strikes on September 18 and 19 under the slogan "Bloquons tout" (in English: block everything). Among them is the air traffic controllers' union SNCTA, which represents around 60 percent of air traffic controllers in France.

The strike begins Thursday morning and is scheduled to last until Friday evening. However, as is often the case with strikes at airports, travelers must expect delays due to flight cancellations even before the strike officially begins and afterward.

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The French railway company SNCF will also be on strike on both days, and regional and local buses and trains will likely be affected. Travelers should expect disruptions, especially in larger cities – for example, on the Paris Metro.

Significant delays are expected, particularly at Paris's Charles de Gaulle (Roissy) and Paris-Orly airports , but other airports in the country could also be affected. Travelers should expect long check-in lines, and there could also be problems with baggage handling.

The ADAC assumes that, given the high level of strike participation among air traffic controllers, international airlines flying to France will also face problems.

Due to the strike announcement, SNCF is planning to reduce its services in France. Among those affected are the main TGV and Intercitès routes, including Paris – Clermont-Ferrand, Paris – Limoges – Toulouse, and Bordeaux – Marseille.

It's still unclear whether DB trains traveling to France will also be affected. According to SNCF, rail travelers should check with TER Grand Est or SNCF Connect for information.

Regional trains, buses, and local transport are likely to be particularly affected around major cities such as Paris, Nantes, Marseille, Lyon, and Montpellier. Due to the restrictions on rail and bus services in France, the ADAC (German Automobile Club) expects many people to switch to cars and accordingly anticipates busy roads.

In addition to airports and bus and rail transport, other sectors could also join the strike. Gas stations, for example, could also be affected, so drivers should plan ahead for the two days.

Tourist facilities such as hotels, restaurants, museums, and attractions could also be partially closed. Employees in shops or public administration could also participate. According to the Federal Foreign Office , hospitals, police, fire departments, schools, and banks could also participate.

The authority advises tourists in France to avoid large gatherings, mass protests and demonstrations and to follow the instructions of the security forces.

Whether it's a rail or airport strike, in many cases travelers have the right to a refund of their ticket costs, and in some cases, they can even apply for compensation. Those who are unexpectedly stranded due to transport company strikes have additional rights and claims. EU passenger rights regulate this across Europe.

We've detailed the rights and claims you have in the event of a strike at the airport. Strike information for rail passengers can be found here .

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