As an unexpected consequence of the fall of the Bayrou government, France's main air traffic controllers' union, the SNCTA, has decided to suspend its strike notice for September 18 at airports in Paris and France. Although the outgoing Minister of Transport, Philippe Tabarot, will formally remain in office until a new government is formed, the union believes it no longer has a negotiating partner until the new head of the DGAC, Chems Chkioua, takes office on October 1.
"The date of September 18 is no longer compatible with the possibility of bringing our demands to a successful conclusion, due to a lack of interlocutors and the necessary time devoted to them", explains the SNCTA in its press release. Guillaume Sintes of the union explained to AFP: "Given that a new Prime Minister has been appointed, and that a certain amount of time will be left to compose the government, we have no interlocutor to succeed in bringing the ministerial-level demands to a successful conclusion by September 18. Under these conditions, we are lifting the September 18 notice period."
This turn of events echoes a similar precedent. In June 2024, the dissolution of the National Assembly had already led to the withdrawal of a strike notice by air traffic controllers, illustrating the direct impact of political instability on social movements in the airline sector.
As an unexpected consequence of the fall of the Bayrou government, the SNCTA, France's main air traffic controllers' union, has suspended its strike notice for September 18 in the absence of a government negotiating partner, postponing its mobilization to October 7, 8 and 9, 2025. Despite this withdrawal, other unions such as UNSA and CGT may maintain their call for strike action on September 18, raising the risk of disruption at airports, particularly Roissy and Orly. Demands relate mainly to wage inflation, governance problems at the DGAC and the recently-imposed biometric badge system in air traffic control centers, illustrating how political instability has a direct impact on social movements in the airline sector.
Nonetheless, the SNCTA is keeping up the pressure, with a new three-day strike notice for October 7, 8 and 9. This strategy allows the majority union, which represents 60% of air traffic controller votes, to give itself the time it needs to engage in dialogue with future government representatives. The October period could therefore prove particularly tricky for the French air transport industry.
The demands of the air traffic control unions are many and varied. The SNCTA 's main demand, as in previous years at the same time, concerns wage increases and catching up with inflation. In the union's view, since the charges paid by airlines are indexed, and since these charges finance the entire civil aviation budget, air traffic controllers' salaries should also be indexed to inflation "in line with the rest of European air traffic control". On the DGAC side, we would point out that fee increases must also finance debt reduction.
The SNCTA also points to governance problems at the Direction des services de la navigation aérienne (DSNA), as well as the fact that certain points of the agreement signed last April with the DGAC have been called into question. Among these contentious points is the non-publication of the full list of airfields likely to lose their controllers, as part of the infrastructure modernization project and the closure of certain control towers.
Another subject of discontent continues to agitate air traffic control: the installation of biometric badge readers in control centers, designed to check actual attendance time and combat the practice of organized absences within teams. Perceived by some controllers as a challenge to a long-standing practice, the use of these badge readers has just been made compulsory by the publication of a decree in the Journal Officiel, with no room for negotiation.
The inspectors' unions, in particularUNSA and CGT, continue to contest the process and its legal validity. The SNCTA's suspension is a perfect illustration of how France's political instability is impacting industrial relations in strategic sectors, postponing issues without resolving them. Travellers will have to keep a close eye on developments in October, when negotiations with the new government are due to be concluded.
Live: September 18 strike, demonstrations, disruptions and blockades in Paris
Live. Paris on the move this Thursday, September 18, 2025, with demonstrations and blockades across the capital. The cross-industry mobilization brings together unions and the "Bloquons tout" movement against the François Bayrou government's 2026 budget in the Île-de-France region. We take stock of the situation. [Read more]
Nearly 90% of pharmacies are closing their doors this Thursday, September 18, in the Île-de-France region. Pharmacists are mobilizing against the reduction in trade discounts on generic drugs, decided by the government in early August 2025. [Read more]
A massive interprofessional mobilization is taking place in Paris and the Ile-de-France region this Thursday, September 18, 2025. Eight trade unions are organizing demonstrations and rallies, while the "Bloquons tout" movement is preparing road blockades, promising a day of major disruption in the capital and Ile-de-France region. [Read more]
Eight days after the "Bloquons tout" movement, a new day of mobilization is being organized across the country. This time, it's the intersyndicale union calling for strikes and demonstrations on Thursday, September 18, 2025. So, what can we expect? In Paris, a large demonstration is planned between Place de la Bastille and Place de la Nation. Here's the detailed route of the procession. [Read more]
September 18, 2025 is shaping up to be a particularly difficult day on public transport, due to a cross-industry industrial action. So what exactly can we expect on the metro, RER, Tramway and Transilien? Find out more about the disruptions announced by RATP and Transilien SNCF, with traffic forecasts and closed stations. [Read more]
The strike on September 18, 2025 will have a massive impact on schools in Paris and the Ile-de-France region. 45% of primary school teachers will be on strike in the capital, with 90 schools closed. Parents should plan ahead for this day of mobilization in the French education system. [Read more]
The Paris ring road and the main freeways in the Île-de-France region are likely to be disrupted this Thursday, September 18, 2025. Unions and the "Bloquons tout" movement are planning blockades alongside the inter-professional mobilization. We take stock. [Read more]
A large-scale interprofessional mobilization will affect Paris and the Île-de-France region this Thursday, September 18, 2025. The four majority RATP unions and three SNCF organizations are calling for "a black day" of mobilization. [Read more]
The strike on September 18, 2025 looks set to be particularly well-attended, with major disruptions forecast for the SNCF and RATP transport systems, the airline industry, schools, hospitals and pharmacies. Eight trade union confederations are calling for this cross-industry mobilization against the Bayrou budget. [Read more]
The "Bloquons tout" movement is mobilizing to continue its actions during the interprofessional strike in Paris on September 18, 2025. This new day of mobilization against budgetary austerity follows on from the September 10 demonstrations, which brought together 200,000 people across France. [Read more]
On September 18, 2025, many pharmacies are planning to close due to a massive strike. This time, however, it's likely to last a long time, as they also plan to close every Saturday from September 27. [Read more]
The autumn is shaping up to be a tense one for hospitals in the Paris region. Four AP-HP unions are calling for mobilization on August 25 against François Bayrou's €44 billion savings plan, which includes a doubling of medical deductibles. A massive strike could well paralyze the 38 establishments as early as September ... [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
From September 18, 2025 to October 9, 2025
Live: September 18 strike, demonstrations, disruptions and blockades in Paris
September 18 strike: how to find an open pharmacy in Paris and the Ile-de-France region?
September 18 strike: locations of demonstrations and blockades in Paris and the Ile-de-France region
September 18 strike: detailed route of the Paris demonstration
September 18 strike: detailed traffic forecasts for metro, RER and Transilien trains
September 18 strike: schools closed in Paris and the Île-de-France region
September 18 strike: road blockades in Paris and the Ile-de-France region?
Strike on September 18, 2025: what RATP and SNCF disruptions are expected in Paris and the Île-de-France region?
Strike on September 18, trains, flights, schools, demonstrations, health professions, what to expect?
September 18 demonstration in Paris: the "Bloquons tout" movement intends to continue its actions
Pharmacy strike: dates and reasons for the strike in Paris
Health: towards a massive strike in Ile-de-France hospitals in September 2025?
