Air travellers in France face delays during 36-hour strike

French air traffic controllers were due to begin a strike on Wednesday that is expected to disrupt flights for 36 hours.

The strike, due to start at 7 pm local time (1800 GMT), was likely to affect about 60 percent of flights, France–Info radio reported. The French civil aviation authority said it would ensure minimal service during the strike.

Unions were protesting a plan to overhaul Europe's air traffic control. The European Union hopes to implement a "single sky" plan, which would eliminate nationally run air traffic control by letting planes fly routes not limited by Europe's borders.

Unions want the French government to lobby against the plan, which they say will lead to privatization of civil aviation.