Strikes in France Might Affect Tourism, EasyJet’s CEO Warns
In an interview for Agence France Press, CEO Lundgren pointed out that strikes will have an effect on the demand for flights and travel to the zone and added that he had contacted the French transport minister to request an increase in the “minimum service level” during the strikes, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.
“The more an industry or country is known for strikes and unreliability, it will have a dampening effect on demand; people will just go elsewhere. Why should I go to France if I think I might be exposed to a strike?” he said.
France has been subject to major flight disruptions as workers strike over Macron’s pension reform proposal, which aims at increasing the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64 years. The situation has caused many cancellations and delays to occur at French airports, but other flights crossing French airspace have also been impacted.
Lundgren stressed that ten million people had been affected by these cancellations, while Eurocontrol points out that 30 per cent of flights in Europe were impacted by the strike in the three months of 2023.
On another note, Lundgren emphasised that although there is a cost-of-living crisis in Europe, as the post-COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine on top of everything have affected the economy, people are prioritising travel and flights even more now.
EasyJet’s average fare has risen by 31 per cent, an average increase of €14, despite the 71 per cent increase in fuel costs, with the flag carrier aiming to stay within reach for many customers. The Luton-based airline intends to exceed its profit expectations of £260 million this year (€294 million).
France is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, with the country earning this attribution from 2014 to 2019. Global Data reveals that 88.1 million people visited France in 2019.
Previously, data by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) shared with BFM Business revealed that 6,338 flights were cancelled following the major strike in France, recorded between January 19 and April 9. Some of the most affected airports include those of Roissy-Charles-de-Gauelle, Paris-Orly, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Nantes, and Marseille, making last-minute cancellations.
