French airline pilots are today staging a strike, prompting travel experts to issue warnings to those journeying to France.
The industrial action is in response to the French government’s proposal to triple the Solidarity Tax on Air Tickets (TSBA), a move that could generate an additional €1 billion annually.
However, this would mean that the tax for economy class flights would rise 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 aimed at reducing the state deficit and curbing carbon emissions.
The strike will impact all French flights entering and leaving the country, potentially causing widespread disruption.
For instance, AirFrance, which operates daily flights to and from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Bristol, Cardiff and Southampton, will be affected.
The strike is set to last only for today.
Ivaylo Danailov, CEO of flight compensation specialists SkyRefund, has cautioned 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.
However, there is a silver lining for affected travellers.
If your flight is cancelled outright, airlines are required to provide alternative transportation to your destination or offer a full refund, as per the expert’s advice.
Additionally, if you’re facing extensive delays and have to wait for hours at the airport, the airline is responsible for providing meals, drinks, and even overnight accommodation if necessary.
“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.”