France ATC Strike Update – October 7–9, 2025 CANCELED- Business Aviation Guide

September 18: What to Expect

• Paris Le Bourget (LFPB): No impact from 04:00-05:00 UTC, then severe capacity constraints with only 6 movements per hour from 05:00-09:00 UTC due to single ATC agent staffing. Crews should note that standard pre-flight frequency and tower ready message calls will not be available during morning hours. Operations expected to normalize from 11:30-12:00 UTC. This marks the first major test of LFPB’s inclusion in the legal minimum service obligation implemented in June 2025.

Overall Outlook

• General impact: The removal of SNCTA’s strike call means traffic flow should be closer to normal, with only live ATC slot programs likely to cause delays.
• Paris Le Bourget (LFPB): No impact from 04:00-05:00 UTC, then severe capacity constraints with only 6 movements per hour from 05:00-09:00 UTC due to single ATC agent staffing. Crews should note that standard pre-flight frequency and tower ready message calls will not be available during morning hours. Operations expected to normalize from 11:30-12:00 UTC. This marks the first major test of LFPB’s inclusion in the legal minimum service obligation implemented in June 2025.
• Nice (LFMN): Slots are no longer frozen. Flights to and from Nice can now be added, changed, or cancelled freely.

ACC Centers

• Reims, Brest, Bordeaux – low delays or normal capacity expected.
• Marseille – east zone: high delays in the morning, easing in the afternoon/evening; west zone: moderate delays possible all day.
• Paris – west zone: morning and evening delays possible, no significant afternoon issues; east zone: normal.

Tower/Approach Impacts

• Basel-Mulhouse APP – restrictions possible due to staffing.
• Limoges APP – localized delays possible.
• Paris CDG arrivals – may face minor sequencing or slot constraints if approach operates on reduced staffing.

Other Airports

With minimum service rules in place, major hubs (CDG, ORY, LFPB, LFMN, LFML, LFLL, LFBO, etc.) are expected to remain operational, albeit with reduced flexibility. Secondary and regional airports without minimum service guarantees remain most at risk for restrictions or closures.

October 7–9: Looking Ahead

The bigger risk window now shifts to October 7–9, when SNCTA resumes its industrial action. Business aviation operators should expect severe en-route restrictions, 60–70% airport program reductions, and widespread rerouting requirements.

Recommendations for Operators

• Treat September 18 as a lighter disruption day, but monitor live ATC slot programs closely.
• File flight plans as early as possible – ideally the day before operations, especially for LFPB.
• If operating to/from Nice, review and update slot requests as needed.
• Special attention for LFPB operations: Plan for severe capacity restrictions between 05:00-12:00 UTC, with only 6 movements per hour possible during peak constraint periods.
• Continue contingency planning for October 7–9, when full-scale impacts are expected.
• Coordinate early with Eurocontrol, DGAC, and local handlers to stay ahead of last-minute program changes.

Bottom Line

Thanks to SNCTA’s suspension, September 18 should be manageable for most operators—though significant delays remain likely at key airports like LFPB during morning hours. The real operational challenge lies ahead on October 7–9, when widespread ATC strikes are now expected.