Paris Airport Workers to Strike Ahead of Olympics Over Bonus Dispute

In the lead-up to the Olympics, Paris airport workers have declared their intention to go on strike, highlighting a disagreement regarding staff bonuses as the primary cause.

The upcoming strike, set for the week before the Olympics, is scheduled to take place on July 17, just nine days before the games’ opening ceremony. Notably, several prominent trade unions, including the CGT, FO, UNSA, and CFDT, have disclosed their plans to initiate a strike motion during this critical period.

The unions have criticized the selective distribution of bonuses to a few individuals. They demand that all staff at Aéroports de Paris (ADP), the state-owned company managing both Charles De Gaulle (CDG) and Paris-Orly Airport (ORY), receive an Olympics bonus.

Photo: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Courtesy of Alain Leduc for Groupe ADP

In late May, unionized airport staff in Paris went on strike over Olympics-related pay disputes, but disruptions were minimal. However, operations could be significantly affected this time, with an estimated 350,000 people expected to travel through Charles De Gaulle and Orly international airports daily during the Olympics.

Additionally, thousands of athletes from around the world will arrive in the city starting July 18th, the scheduled opening date of the athletes’ village. A large temporary baggage terminal at Charles De Gaulle is set to process items such as bikes, canoes, and kayaks to accommodate their equipment.

Olympic Games logo on the Arc de Triomphe / Photo: Courtesy of @Paris2024/PhilippeMillereau/kmsp

However, unions have disrupted organizational plans, arguing that airport workers deserve compensation for working from July 26th to August 11th, which falls during France’s traditional summer holiday period.

The demand for increased pay extends beyond the aviation sector. Train drivers, police, air traffic controllers, waste collection staff, firefighters, and central government employees have also made monetary demands, pressuring employers to prevent mass disturbances.

Expected Slowdown in Tourist Traffic

Despite the influx of Olympic spectators, Air France-KLM has warned of poor financial results due to decreased recreational visitors to Paris during the games. Last week, the French flag carrier announced an anticipated loss of €180 million ($193 million U.S.) for Q3.

With increased crowds, inflated prices, and the general chaos of the Olympics, tourists appear to be avoiding the City of Lights. “International markets show a significant avoidance of Paris,” the carrier said. “Travel between the city and other destinations is also below the usual June-August average as residents in France seem to be postponing their holidays until after the Olympic Games or considering alternative travel plans.”

Photo: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Courtesy of Gwen Le Bras for Groupe ADP

International travel to France is expected to stabilize after the Olympics, with “encouraging demand levels projected for the end of August and the month of September.”

Despite the potential decrease in tourist numbers, the Olympics could generate an estimated €9 billion for Paris, according to an independent study by the Centre for Law and Economics of Sport (CDES).

“The lower demand we’re seeing for the early summer months can be seen as a temporary adjustment,” said Christina Choueifaty, senior account manager at STR, an analytics company in the hospitality industry. “In the long run, the Olympics will further solidify the city’s position as a major tourist destination, potentially attracting even more demand in the future.”