HUNDREDS of thousands of passengers could see their Ryanair flight cancelled next week.
French ATC are set to cause chaos, with staff walking out from October 7-10 over a dispute about pay and working conditions.
Ryanair has warned that they are likely to cancel 600 flights next week
However, it won’t just affect France as it will also affect any passengers flying over French airspace.
Called overflights, it affects flights from the UK including to destinations like , Italy and Greece.
Ryanair boss warned that as many as 600 flights are likely to be cancelled.
He explained: “That’s about 100,000 passengers who will have their flights cancelled needlessly next Wednesday and Thursday,.”
He also warned it will cost the airline as much as £20million, which will likely be passed onto passengers.
Brits are affected the most due to the proximity to France.
Mr O’Leary continued: “On any given day at the moment, we operate about 3,500 flights and about 900 of those flights cross over French airspace and about two thirds of those, around 600 flights, are cancelled every day there’s an air traffic control strike.
The Ryanair boss has long been calling for more action to be introduced to protect passengers from strike action when flying over France.
He added: “They have the right to strike and we accept that but they should be cancelling local French fights, not flights from the UK to Spain.”
Ryanair even have a dedicated website for passengers to complain, called ATCruinedourholiday.com.
It’s not just Ryanair that are set to be affected by the strikes.
and easyJet passengers are likely to be impacted as well.
An easyJet spokesperson said they were “monitoring the situation” but had not confirmed any flight cancellations.
The French strike action is was due to take place last month, although was postponed after the government collapsed.
Initially planned to be a 24-hour strike on September 18, the new strike will run for three days.
The French air traffic control union, the SNCTA, said: “For several years, the governance of air traffic control has been characterised by mistrust, punitive practices, and brutal managerial methods.”
Flight compensation rules
A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
It’s not the only strike action that recently hit Brits.
Earlier this week, a 24-hour walkout across
The airline has long slammed the ATC strikes for affecting overflights 
