A4E has released an updated version of a PwC study on the economic impact of air traffic control strikes in Europe.

Now including the 2016 figures, the analysis reveals that since 2010 the overall impact of strikes have cost €12 billion to the EU economy, associated with more than 140,000 jobs. Since 2010, there have been 217 air traffic control strike days in the EU – equivalent to almost one month of strikes every year.

In total, there have been 278 disrupted days until September 30th this year accounting the days before and after an air traffic control strike as flights had to be cancelled proactively in advance and accumulated delays spilt over to the next day.

Across the EU, ATC strikes occur most frequently in France, followed by Greece, Italy and Portugal and resulted in 35,000 cancellations and more than seven million minutes of delay among A4E airlines.

Europe’s tourism industry is the first victim of air traffic controllers’ strikes, with damages amounting to around €7.3 billion.

“These figures are shocking. Since 2010, 2.5 million passengers have seen their travel plans spoiled by the disproportionate industrial action undertaken by a group of 15,000 air traffic controllers. This year will be a record year for airlines – unfortunately, just in terms of air traffic control strikes. There have been 22 separate strikes in Europe, encompassing 41 days of strike, and 55 days of disruption.

If Europe wants to create jobs and be competitive it should take action to ensure its reputation is not damaged, jobs are not affected and the daily life of Europeans is not impacted by this repeated action”, said Thomas Reynaert, managing director, A4E.