London - Thousands of families face air travel chaos because of strikes across France, Italy and Portugal over the next four weeks.
Just on Thursday, a 35-hour walk-out by French air traffic controllers led to the cancellation of 200 flights.
The industrial action is expected to lead to knock-on delays and detours on Friday.
Further strikes are expected in France and eight others have been announced in Italy and Portugal with more than 1 000 flights at risk of being cancelled.
Thomas Reynaert, managing director of A4E, a European airline lobbying group, warned: “European travellers face a summer of disruption and ruined holidays.
“There has never been a greater urgency for the European Commission and the governments to act and to protect the rights of millions of European travellers.”
Airline bosses are to meet key industry players in Brussels next week to discuss how to minimise the impact of the action.
Ryanair’s marketing chief, Kenny Jacobs, said: “These strikes by ATC workers are becoming a weekly event by now, causing chaos for families wanting to take their summer breaks but also designed to upset the plans of football fans coming from far and wide to France for the Euros.”
Daily Mail