A nationwide cabin crew strike planned by easyJet’s (U2) French workforce threatens to upend travel for thousands of passengers on Easter Monday, April 6 2026 — one of Europe’s busiest travel days of the year. The walkout, called by the UNAC union, could result in mass cancellations, delays and major schedule disruption at multiple French airports, The Connection reported.
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Strike Action Targeted at All French Bases of easyJet
UNAC — Union des Navigants de l’Aviation Civile — has formally issued a 24‑hour strike notice for all cabin crew (“personnels navigants commerciaux” or PNC) employed by easyJet in France, covering the full calendar day from 00:01 to 23:59 on April 6. The action spans all six French easyJet bases:
- Paris Orly (ORY)
- Paris Charles‑de‑Gaulle (CDG)
- Nice (NCE)
- Nantes (NTE)
- Lyon (LYS)
- Bordeaux (BOD)
The strike notice urges all cabin crew to participate — including those not formally unionised — with staff required to declare their intent to take part at least 48 hours before the stoppage under French labour law.
Why the Walkout Is Taking Place
According to the union, the dispute stems from longstanding grievances over working conditions, especially around unpredictable rosters and last‑minute schedule changes that crew members say have made work and home life increasingly untenable.
UNAC renewed its call to strike after a key 2026 annual negotiation agreement (NAO) was decisively rejected by more than half of the voting cabin crew, with turnout above 70 %.
UNAC has accused easyJet management of showing “mépris” (contempt) and failing to address issues such as excessive rota changes, frequent forced reassignments to different bases, and a perceived lack of respect for crew wellbeing.
Implications for easyJet’s Passengers and Flights
The timing and scope of the strike — across all French bases on a major public holiday — significantly heightens the risk of widespread flight disruption.
Unlike air traffic control strikes that can paralyse all flights through national airspace, this action is specific to easyJet’s operations; but cancellation knock‑on effects, crew shortages and logistical issues could still ripple through broader schedules.
easyJet has acknowledged receipt of the strike notice, stating it is “very disappointed” with the decision and will “do everything possible to minimise the impact on passengers”. The airline has pledged to contact customers directly with alternative routing, refunds, or rebooking options in accordance with European passenger rights regulations.
Customers booked on easyJet flights to or from French airports on April 6 are being advised to monitor updates via the easyJet app or official communications and allow extra time for travel amid the heightened disruption risk.
Context: Rising Industrial Tension
This latest action comes amid a broader period of labour unrest at easyJet’s French operations. Earlier in 2026, UNAC organised a strike on January 1, with a call for “zero take‑offs” from French bases over similar concerns about unstable timetables and crew scheduling, highlighting persistent friction between staff and management.
Attempts to avert strike action during the Christmas 2025 period were initially successful after negotiations, but union leaders say promised improvements were not implemented — further stoking employee frustration and contributing to the decision to call this Easter strike.