easyJet cancelled around 100 French flights as cabin crew strike over roster changes

easyJet has cancelled around 100 flights from French airports over the weekend as cabin crew launch industrial action over frequent and last-minute changes to their working schedules.

Unions estimate that around half of easyJet’s 900 France-based cabin crew participated in the strike, affecting operations at Paris airports as well as Nice, Bordeaux and Lyon. Around half of the airline’s scheduled flights at the affected airports were disrupted.

Most cancellations were announced in advance on Friday, allowing passengers more time to make alternative travel arrangements.

The dispute centres on crew rostering and schedule stability. The SNPNC-FO union claims some employees can see their working hours and destinations changed as many as 50 to 60 times per week, sometimes with only 24 to 48 hours’ notice. Unions argue that the practice makes it particularly difficult for employees to organise family life and childcare.

According to the unions, staffing shortages at individual bases can also produce a knock-on effect, with crew transferred from another airport, which then has to find replacements of its own.

easyJet criticised the timing of the industrial action during a busy French holiday weekend, describing it as opportunistic. The airline said it had proposed changes to working conditions and that further negotiations are scheduled for September.

Three unions have warned of potential industrial action between 7 August and 2 September, raising the possibility of further disruption during the remainder of the summer travel period.

France is one of easyJet’s largest markets, with the airline ranking second behind Air France in passenger numbers in the country.