EasyJet Cancels 100 Flights Amid France Cabin Crew Strike

France-based cabin crew for EasyJet launched a two-day strike on August 15 and 16, resulting in the cancellation of approximately 100 flights. The industrial action affected operations at five European airports, including Nice, Bordeaux, Lyon, Paris Orly, and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Roughly half of the airline's 900 French-based crew participated in the walkout, which was jointly called by the SNPNC-FO, UNPNC-CFDT, and UNAC-CFE-CGC unions.

Union representatives cited a continuous deterioration of working conditions, specifically chronic schedule instability and burdensome rotations. William Bourdon of the SNPNC-FO union described the scheduling as a "permanent musical chairs," claiming some crew members face 50 to 60 changes per week, making personal and childcare organization extremely difficult.

EasyJet management characterized the strike as an "opportunistic action" because it coincided with a busy national holiday weekend and occurred outside formal negotiation processes. The airline stated it has offered adjustments to address crew concerns and has scheduled further negotiations for September. Affected passengers were offered refunds or free transfers.

The disruption follows the recent $7.7 billion acquisition of the carrier by the U.S. private equity firm Apollo Global Management. While the two-day strike has concluded, unions have warned of the possibility of additional industrial action through September 2.