Will the Rugby World Cup be affected by airport strikes in France?

Airport and public transport strikes may have a significant impact on the travel plans of numerous individuals heading to the Rugby World Cup.

Sports enthusiasts may encounter travel disruptions in the upcoming week due to the potential strikes of French airport personnel coinciding with the Rugby World Cup.

The biggest union representing air traffic controllers in the nation, known as SNCTA, has urged employees to participate in a countrywide strike on both 15th September and 13th October.

Numerous individuals are preparing to journey for the Rugby World Cup from 8 September to 28 October, as various games will be held across different arenas in France.

Industrial action may result in the cancellation of flights and cause troubles for air travel passing through French airspace. The strikes have been organized to protest against inadequate pay in relation to the escalating inflation.

Where Is The Rugby World Cup Held?

Games of the Rugby World Cup will take place in various stadiums throughout France.

Some of the stadiums that will be hosting matches during the tournament are Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Étienne, Stade de Bordeaux, Stade de Marseille, Stadium de Toulouse, Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, Stade de Nice, Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, OL Stadium in Lyon, and Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris, which is where the final match will be held.

Over 2.5 million tickets have been purchased, while an astounding 600,000 individuals from foreign countries are anticipated to come and witness the event.

According to Michel Poussau, the executive director of Rugby World Cup 2023, a notable majority of the fans coming from abroad to witness the games hail from the United Kingdom. Additionally, a significant number of spectators from Australia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand are anticipated to grace the event.

The protest scheduled for September 15th aligns with the match between New Zealand and Namibia at Stadium de Toulouse, subsequently followed by Samoa against Chile at Stade de Bordeaux, and Wales versus Portugal at Stade de Nice. Individuals planning to travel ahead of time to witness the Ireland vs Tonga game at Stade de la Beaujoire on September 16th might also encounter some disruptions.

There are no games scheduled for 28 October, however, the walkout might affect the supporters who are journeying back after the final match.

Due to the nationwide air traffic control strikes, airports throughout the entire nation might encounter disturbances.

Which Flights May Be Impacted By French Air Traffic Control Strikes?

In the beginning of this year, chaotic situations arose due to the strikes carried out by the air traffic control in France, affecting even the passengers whose flights were neither departing nor arriving in that particular country.

Due to its prime spot in central Europe, numerous flights pass through this country en route to different places. These flights that traverse over this territory are also impacted when French air traffic controllers decide to strike.

This leads to setbacks and annulments in neighboring nations like Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy.

Over 10 million travelers, in all, experienced delays or cancellations as a result of the strikes that took place in March. Approximately half of these individuals might have been on a flight that was simply flying over France.

In the midst of the 1 May demonstrations, approximately one-third of flights were disrupted at Orly airport in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, and Nantes. Meanwhile, a quarter of flights faced cancellations at Paris Charles de Gaulle, Beauvais, and Nice.

Possible Strike By Paris Metro Workers During Rugby World Cup

The Rugby World Cup may also experience disruption in terms of public transportation due to potential strikes. Employees of the Paris Metro system have indicated their intentions to go on strike coinciding with the tournament.

While train operators will be granted a bonus as an acknowledgment of the extra services they have to provide during the occasion, employees working at stations have not been presented with any additional remuneration.

Public transport workers in Paris, who are represented by the FO-RATP trade union, have issued a warning regarding their intention to go on strike. Presently, discussions are taking place to find a resolution to this matter.