A mandatory slot program is in effect from June 10 to July 10 at designated airports throughout France to handle the increase in private and charter aircraft expected for the 15th edition of the European football championships. More than 50 matches will be held in Paris, Lens, Lille, Lyon, St-Etienne, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseilles and Nice.
Eurocontrol's Network Manager Operations Centre in Brussels has been working closely with COHOR, the French association for the coordination of schedules and allocation of slots, and French Air Navigation Service Provider DSNA. “All flights, regardless of category, departing from or arriving at any of the coordinated airports during the championship, will have to have an airport slot,” officials said. “The airport slot will be delivered 48 hours in advance for the knockout round, the quarter-finals, the semi-finals and the final. We know from long experience that the semi-finals and the final will have the most impact on traffic demand.”
However, an issue that could seriously disrupt flight operations during this period is possible strikes by French air traffic controllers. There have been several ATC work actions in recent months, the latest of which occurred this past weekend.