Chief executive of budget carrier easyJet Johan Lundgren has warned French authorities that tourists could "go elsewhere" if strikes at airports are not addressed.
“The social movement has had consequences for 10 million travellers, 64,000 people have had their flights cancelled per day of the strike. This is unacceptable," Lundgren told state-funded news agency Agence-France Presse (AFP).
The country has seen waves of strikes and protests against the government's reform of pension laws and the raising of the retirement age from 62 to 64.
Air traffic controllers have joined other transport sector workers in the walk-outs, which have prompted the aviation regulator to ask carriers to cut 30% of flights on affected days.
The ATC strikes have affected overflights but not domestic travel, a situation that carriers such as Ryanair have demanded European Union-level action to address.
“We do not contest the right of people to strike, but the consequences must be proportionate and flights over French territory must be protected,” Lundgren said.
Lundgren's intervention came after his airline said it could make a pre-tax profit of £260m in FY 2023, up from the previous projection of £126m.
“Demand for easyJet’s flights and holidays has continued to grow in the half, resulting in more than a £120 million pound improvement in our performance as well as a billion pound revenue improvement year on year," said Lundgren.
“We see continued strong booking momentum into summer as customers prioritise spending on travel and choose airlines like easyJet offering the best value and destination mix, as well as easyJet holidays which is continuing its steep growth trajectory as the fastest growing holidays company in the UK," the chief executive added.