Paris CDG Airport Closed
The main airport at Paris, Charles de Gaulle, is closed on Saturday as a result of a pilot strike. It is hoped that all runways will resume normal operations on Sunday. The strike, which is also affecting other airports in France and abroad, is over a dispute over pay and staffing.
As a result, passengers should expect delays, as some flights could be cancelled. Airport workers are requesting a 6% pay rise retroactive to Jan. 1, but the airport’s management is only proposing a 3% increase. Firefighters at the Charles de Gaulle airport have also begun a strike, with specific demands for salaries. The strikes have already caused the airport to shut down several runways and caused several flight cancellations. Some unions expect the strike to last into Sunday, affecting hundreds of flights.
While Orly has not been affected by the strike, road traffic leading to CDG could be disrupted. As a result, airlines are struggling to recruit enough staff after the Covid-19 pandemic, so the strikes could make recruiting more difficult. The workers have a strike date on July 1 at 09:00. They will also hold demonstrations at CDG and Orly Terminal 4 at ORY.
Paris CDG airport is another option, but it is further away. It takes about 40 minutes to an hour by car and 30 minutes to an hour or two if you use public transportation. It is also possible to take a taxi, but be prepared to pay up to 60 EUR.
Paris CDG Airport Closed Due to Pilot Strike
The strike began on Wednesday with the ADP group. The unions originally demanded a 6% pay increase that would keep pace with inflation. However, the unions agreed to a 3% pay rise, which is not enough to compensate for the effects of inflation. On Thursday, only ADP employees were on strike, but other airport-related companies are expected to join in on Friday. During the strike, up to one-in-five flights were cancelled, with more than half of long-distance flights canceled on Thursday and 90% of mid-distance services being maintained.
As a result of the strike, Air France dropped half of its 800 planned flights and Ryanair has canceled 420. Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Civil Aviation has asked airlines to reduce their flight schedules. The airlines have been asked to operate 90% of short and medium-haul flights, but will have to adjust their schedules. Despite these reductions, last-minute delays are impossible to exclude.
Another strike at Paris airport has been planned for July 8-10. It could spark a wave of industrial action across France. Three of the four major railway unions in France have already announced their plans to strike on Wednesday. The planned walkouts coincide with the peak summer travel season. This is not a good thing for French travelers.
The Charles de Gaulle airport is the largest and most modern airport in Paris. It is named after Charles de Gaulle, a national leader of France in World War II. He served as the head of the French armed forces and was President of the French Republic from 1959 to 1969.