On September 18, a strike by French air traffic controllers is expected to affect thousands of passengers.

France faces a day of transport chaos on Wednesday, September 10, as a civil movement to "block everything" threatens to paralyze the country's transport networks.

The demonstrations, called Bloquons tout ("let's block everything"), are part of a national strike against Prime Minister François Bayrou's proposed austerity plan — a campaign that will continue even after his fragile minority government collapsed this week.

The "block everything" movement originated online in July. In recent weeks, it has spread rapidly on TikTok, Telegram, and other platforms with viral calls for boycotts, blockades, and strikes.

Its popular beginnings made it comparable to the "yellow vest" protests of 2018, which turned from anger over fuel prices into a national campaign against the political elite.

At the center of the anger this time is Bayrou's 2026 financial plan, which aimed to cut €44 billion from the national budget to reduce France's deficit.

Key measures included eliminating two national holidays, freezing pensions, and cutting €5 billion from healthcare spending.

The protest comes at a time of deepening political instability. Bayrou's debt reduction plan sparked widespread discontent and led him to announce his resignation on September 8.

His government lasted only nine months, making him the third French prime minister to resign in the past year.

The transport sector in France is expected to bear the brunt of the protests.

Sud-Rail has promised a "massive strike" that could lead to the cancellation of thousands of SNCF trains across the country. Regional RER and Transilien services around Paris are also expected to operate on a reduced schedule.

Bonjour RATP, the mobile app run by Paris' public transport operator, is predicting serious disruption on several lines for commuters, although the metro is currently expected to run "almost normally."

Although the country's unions did not back the initial campaign, their recent support has given it added weight. The powerful CGT union recently backed the action, increasing the likelihood of disruptions to trains, ferries, fuel deliveries, and other services.

Eurostar, the high-speed service linking London to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, says its trains will run normally during the strike.

But with major disruptions to rail transport in France, knock-on effects are likely.

Passengers may face missed connections, limited options for continuing their journey, and crowded alternative routes.

Air traffic controllers' strikes loom Even greater transport disruption awaits passengers in France this month.

France's largest air traffic controllers' union has confirmed a 24-hour strike from September 18 to 19.

This is expected to be one of the biggest air traffic controller strikes in years, affecting not only flights to and from France, but also thousands of flights passing through its airspace.

Routes between the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, and other European destinations are likely to be affected by delays and cancellations.

The disruptions follow a wave of strikes in July that grounded hundreds of flights, leaving passengers stranded during the peak summer season and provoking the ire of airlines.

As the September strike does not fall during the holiday period, airlines warn that they will not have enough flexibility to quickly rebook passengers.

Under EU passenger rights legislation, anyone whose flight is canceled is entitled to rebooking on the earliest available flight — including with other airlines — as well as hotel accommodation and meals if stranded overnight. However, financial compensation is not usually provided for ATC strikes.

With political turmoil in Paris, nationwide protests, and airport strikes all happening at once, September is shaping up to be a difficult month for anyone traveling to or through France.

Passengers are advised to plan ahead, monitor the latest information from operators closely, and be prepared for last-minute changes. | BGNES