New Year's Day Travel Faces Disruption
Travelers planning to fly with EasyJet on January 1, 2026, particularly to and from France, are advised to anticipate significant disruptions as cabin crew based in the country have initiated a one-day strike. The industrial action, called by the UNAC union, a minority representative of EasyJet's French cabin crew, follows a breakdown in annual negotiations with airline management.
The strike is expected to impact operations at several key French airports, including Paris Orly (ORY), Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Nice (NCE), Bordeaux (BOD), Lyon (LYS), and Nantes (NTE). Early morning departures are particularly vulnerable to cancellations and delays.
Scheduling Disputes at Core of Industrial Action
The primary reason for the strike stems from ongoing disagreements over scheduling practices. The UNAC union asserts that frequent last-minute roster changes create instability for staff, leading to increased stress, burnout, and sick leave. The union argues that these unpredictable schedules not only affect staff welfare but also contribute to operational problems across the airline's network. UNAC members reportedly voted by 64.2 percent to reject the airline's proposals.
While UNAC has called for a 'zero take-off' day, a complete shutdown of EasyJet flights in France is considered unlikely. This is largely because SNPNC-FO, the main union representing French EasyJet cabin crew, reached a late agreement with management over similar scheduling concerns and will not be joining the January 1 action.
Impact on Passengers and Airline Operations
Despite the absence of the majority union, the strike is still expected to cause noticeable disruption. EasyJet typically operates near-normal schedules on New Year's Day, unlike Christmas Day when services are often reduced, increasing the potential impact of any industrial action. Passengers are strongly advised to:
- Monitor email notifications from EasyJet.
- Check the airline's mobile application for the latest flight information.
- Be prepared for potential cancellations and delays.
The airline may introduce revised schedules or offer free rebooking options for affected services, though no final update had been announced as of December 29, 2025. Passengers whose flights are cancelled or delayed by more than three hours may be eligible for compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004.
Ongoing Tensions in Low-Cost Airline Sector
This one-day strike highlights ongoing tensions over rostering practices within the low-cost airline sector. The union contends that stabilizing schedules is both a 'social and economic necessity,' citing costs incurred by the airline due to sick leave, repositioning expenses, and refunds to disrupted passengers. The situation remains fluid, and while a full cessation of flights is not anticipated, even limited disruption could have ripple effects across EasyJet's wider network.
5 Comments
Africa
On one hand, workers have every right to demand better terms and conditions, especially regarding stressful scheduling. On the other, the constant threat of strikes in the airline industry makes travel increasingly unpredictable for consumers who rely on these services.
Muchacho
About time EasyJet addresses staff burnout. Their welfare matters.
Coccinella
The union's points about staff burnout and the cost of unpredictable scheduling are valid concerns for employee welfare. Yet, the airline also has operational challenges, and this action highlights the difficulty of balancing worker demands with consistent service delivery.
ZmeeLove
Clearly, there are deep-seated issues with EasyJet's scheduling practices that need addressing for employee well-being. Still, a one-day strike, especially by a minority union, feels more like a symbolic gesture that mostly punishes passengers rather than forcing a quick resolution.
Habibi
Unions are essential for protecting employee rights. Hope they get better conditions.