Air France plans to operate almost all of its flights amid national strikes

British Airways and easyJet have cancelled dozens of departures as a result of the air traffic control walk-out

Close call: the Eiffel Tower did not open on Thursday (Simon Calder)

On the second day of a national strike in France, which is severely affecting transport, the country’s airline has said it will operate the vast majority of its international flights.

Air France is telling passengers: “We expect to operate all our long-haul flights [and] over 90 per cent of our medium-haul flights.”

The only part of the operation more deeply affected is the domestic network, but Air France says it plans to run “almost 70 per cent of our domestic flights”.

Meanwhile British Airways has cancelled dozens of flights to and from Heathrow – mainly to French airports, but also to Barcelona, Madrid, Basel and Geneva.

From Gatwick, easyJet has grounded multiple departures to Paris and Toulouse, as well as flights to Nantes, Nice, Marseille and Barcelona.

Eurostar has cancelled 28 trains, affecting the travel plans of more than 15,000.

Much of the French domestic transport system is at a standstill, with SNCF, the main rail operator, recommending that travellers use the ride-sharing app, BlaBlaCar.

In addition, tourist attractions are being badly hit because staff cannot reach work.

On Thursday the Eiffel Tower was closed, and other attractions were open for shorter hours.

Millions of workers are walking out in protest against President Macron’s plans for pension reforms.

The strikes are expected to last through the weekend and into next week.