Ryanair has cancelled more than 170 flights, disrupting travel plans for over 30,000 passengers due to French air traffic control strikes taking place on Thursday and Friday.

The Irish low-cost carrier announced the widespread cancellations as industrial action by French air traffic controllers creates significant disruption across European aviation networks.

The timing of the strikes coincides with the beginning of the European summer holiday season, compounding the impact on travellers.

The budget airline was compelled to ground the flights as French air traffic control services face staffing shortages during the industrial action, affecting both domestic French routes and international services that rely on French airspace.

Ryanair confirmed it would be grounding flights

The cancellations affect not only flights travelling to and from France but also services that use French airspace to reach other destinations including the UK, Greece, Spain and Ireland.

This means passengers on routes that merely pass over France are experiencing delays and cancellations despite their journeys not beginning or ending in the country.

The disruption comes at a particularly challenging time as families across Europe begin their summer holidays.

The strike action by French air traffic controllers has created a ripple effect throughout the continent's aviation network, with overflights being cancelled or delayed even when they are simply transiting through French airspace en route to their final destinations.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has renewed his calls for European Union reform, urging EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take 'urgent action' on air traffic control services

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has renewed his calls for European Union reform, urging EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take "urgent action" on air traffic control services.

O'Leary criticised the French strikes, stating: "Once again, European families are held to ransom by French air traffic controllers going on strike."

He expressed particular frustration with the impact on overflights, saying: "It is not acceptable that overflights over French airspace en route to their destination are being cancelled/delayed as a result of yet another French ATC strike.

"It makes no sense and is abundantly unfair on EU passengers and families going on holidays."

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen

The airline has long campaigned for ATC reform across Europe, seeking fully staffed services for daily departures and protection for overflights during strikes.

O'Leary claimed: "These two splendid reforms would eliminate 90 per cent of all ATC delays and cancellations, and protect EU passengers from these repeated and avoidable ATC disruptions due to yet another French ATC strike."

The airline's current disruptions add to challenges faced in recent months, with Ryanair cancelling more than 800 flights in June due to the ongoing Middle East conflict.

The carrier has been among those forced to cancel and reroute services amid tensions between Israel and Iran and continued attacks in Gaza.