JetEasy leadership expressing deep displeasure due to ongoing air traffic control strikes in France
In the summer of 2025, industrial action by French air traffic controllers once again caused significant disruptions across European skies, with a notable impact on airlines such as EasyJet. Although this specific strike activity occurred in mid-2025, the effects illustrate ongoing issues that likely influenced airline operations and profits in prior years, including 2022.
The strikes were driven by frustrations over staffing shortages, outdated equipment, and deteriorating working conditions among French air traffic controllers. The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) mandated substantial flight cancellations, with reductions reaching 25% to 40% of flights in major hubs such as Paris Charles de Gaulle, and even higher at regional airports like Nice (up to 50%) and Lyon.
The impact on airlines was considerable. EasyJet canceled 274 flights over the initial two days of strike action, facing disrupted schedules and passenger displacement. The airline's CEO, Kenton Jarvis, expressed extreme unhappiness after the airline was forced to warn investors about the impact of industrial action on profits this year.
Rival airline stocks, including British Airways owner IAG, also decreased due to EasyJet's warning. Michael O'Leary, the boss of Ryanair, previously commented that air traffic controllers were holding European families to ransom after the budget airline was forced to cancel more than 170 flights and disrupt 30,000 passengers earlier this month.
Despite these challenges, EasyJet's third quarter update revealed a £50million year-on-year profit improvement to £286million, driven by strong demand for EasyJet's primary airport network and benefits from the timing of Easter. However, EasyJet's outlook for the rest of the year remains positive, with good profit growth, but earnings are expected to face pressure from French strike action and higher aviation fuel costs.
Zoe Gillespie, a wealth manager at RBC Brewin Dolphin, stated that demand for holidays remains high despite softening consumer sentiment. DIY investing platforms such as AJ Bell, Hargreaves Lansdown, interactive investor, InvestEngine, Trading 212, and others were mentioned as options for investors.
EasyJet's CEO, Johan Lundgren, believes the airline is in a better position than many competitors to navigate through any difficult conditions due to a solid balance sheet. He emphasized the importance of EasyJet maintaining operational efficiency and cost discipline.
The French transport minister, Philippe Tabarot, has condemned the actions of two unions that staged the two-day strike. The industrial action created unexpected and significant costs for all airlines, according to EasyJet's CEO. The French unions staged a two-day strike over working conditions, leading to a quarter of flights being cancelled at the main airports in Paris.
This Money may earn a commission if a product is taken out, but this does not affect editorial independence. EasyJet's operational performance improved, boosting customer satisfaction scores. However, the ongoing issue of air traffic control strikes continues to pose a significant challenge for the airline and the industry as a whole.
Investors in airline stocks, such as British Airways owner IAG, experienced a decrease due to EasyJet's warning about the impact of a strike by French air traffic controllers on their profits. Meanwhile, Zoe Gillespie, a wealth manager at RBC Brewin Dolphin, suggests that DIY investing platforms, like AJ Bell, Hargreaves Lansdown, and Trading 212, could be options for those looking to invest in the general-news sector, which includes the ongoing issue of air traffic control strikes.
