Volotea pilots call for three-day strike in France

Pilots for the Spanish low-cost airline Volotea have called for a three-day strike from September 4 to September 6, 2026. The industrial action, led by the Syndicat national des pilotes de ligne (SNPL) and the Union des navigants de l’aviation civile, is expected to cause significant flight disruptions, particularly in France, which serves as the company’s primary market.

Labor unions cite poor working conditions and stagnant wages as the primary drivers for the strike. The SNPL claims that pilot compensation has remained largely unchanged since 2012 and is among the lowest in the aviation sector. Tensions have been further exacerbated by reports that company executives received average salary increases of 23% last year while negotiations with staff have failed to produce concrete advancements since 2021.

With Volotea serving approximately 30 French cities, including Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille, Lyon, and Lille, travelers are advised to monitor their flight statuses closely. The strike is expected to impact the airline's extensive network of 110 destinations across 17 European countries.