Notitur July 14, 2026
AirlinesPublished July 13, 20261 min read

Even the French admit their air traffic control is bad

JSBy Joan SanzCurated by Joan Sanz. · July 13, 2026 · Follow on LinkedIn
Voice reading · ~1 min

That French air traffic control is a headache for airlines is no scoop. What is new, and big, is that the French themselves say so. According to Preferente, the French Court of Auditors just released a scathing report on its air traffic management, slamming high costs, endless strikes, and poor organization.

It's not an isolated opinion. On June 23, the French Senate published an equally damning report, demanding urgent solutions. We are talking about two official bodies painting the DGAC as expensive, badly run, and ignoring the future.

My take: this mess is no longer France's problem alone. European airspace works as a network, and a dysfunctional air traffic system at the continent's core creates delays and extra costs everyone pays: airlines, travel agencies, and passengers.

Quick questions

What does the French Court of Auditors report say?
It denounces that French air traffic control is expensive, poorly organized, hit by constant strikes, and unprepared for the future.
Who else has criticized French air traffic control?
The French Senate Finance Committee published a similarly critical report on June 23, demanding solutions.
How does this affect European airlines?
Delays and overcosts in France create a domino effect across the European airspace, hurting the entire network.
Is there hope for improvement in French air traffic?
Official recognition of the problem could open the door to serious reform pushed by Brussels and the industry.
Which agency runs air traffic control in France?
It is managed by the DGAC (Directorate General for Civil Aviation), called inefficient and costly in the reports.

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