Strike action from French pilots could mean disruption to your travels.
French airline pilots are striking today and experts have issued a warning to people travelling to France.
The strike action is due to the French government’s plan to triple the Solidarity Tax on Air Tickets (TSBA), which could generate an additional €1 billion annually.
However, this would mean that the tax for economy class flights would increase from 2.60 euros (£2.16) per passenger to 9.50 euros (£7.90) for a European destination, and from 7.50 euros (£6.24) to 40 euros (£33.26) for long-distance destinations. This measure is intended to help reduce the state deficit and curb carbon emissions.
The strike will affect all French flights flying to and from the country, meaning the potential for mass disruption. AirFrance, for example, flies to and from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Bristol, Cardiff and Southampton daily. The strike will only last for today.
Ivaylo Danailov, CEO of flight compensation specialists SkyRefund, is warning that passengers flying to France during the strike may not be eligible for compensation if their flights are cancelled or disrupted.
“According to EU Regulation 261/2004, the eligibility for compensation for a flight disrupted by strike action depends largely on who calls the strike and how much control has the airline over it. In the case of the November 14 strike, since it’s the French National Union of Airline Pilots (the major pilot trade union) that has called the strike, passengers will likely not be able to claim compensation for their disrupted flights,” he said.
It’s not all bad news though. Although you might not be able to get compensation for delays, if your flight is cancelled entirely then the airline is obliged to arrange alternative transport t your destination, accoriding to the expert. If this isn’t possible, they must provide a full refund.
On top of this, if you experience significant delays and must spend several hours in the airport then the airline should provide you with food and refreshments as well as overnight accommodation if you need it.
“If they don’t provide you with any of that proactively, make sure to keep all receipts for expenses you make during the disruption, you will be able to claim these afterwards.”