France strikes: Dozens of flights cancelled by air-traffic control walkout

‘We expect delays and disruption to a number of our flights across the network’ – easyJet

Red alert: flight delays and disruption are worst in southern and northwestern France (Eurocontrol)

Thousands of travellers heading to, from and within France face another day of disruption because of a nationwide strike.

For the past 11 weeks, workers have been protesting against President Macron’s proposed pension reforms. The transport sector is usually particularly badly hit.

Air-traffic controllers belonging to the USAC-CGT union walked out on Wednesday evening and will resume work at 6.30am on Friday.

Dozens of flights have been cancelled, mainly domestic links.

The French civil aviation authority, DSNA, warned that disruption is worst in the areas controlled from Marseille and Brest, with average delays of at least an hour.

The disruption at Brest is affecting many flights from the UK to Spain, especially the Canary Islands. Ryanair’s links from Birmingham to Tenerife and Stansted to Las Palmas are delayed by at least an hour.

British Airways has cancelled a round-trip from Heathrow to Barcelona, while its partner Iberia has grounded a flight from Madrid to Heathrow and back.

At least a dozen flights to and from Biarritz airport are grounded, including two on easyJet.

The airline told passengers: “Like all airlines, our flights to and from French airports could be affected as well as flights which overfly French airspace.

“We expect delays and disruption to a number of our flights across the network.

“For customers flying to or from a French airport, Please be aware that public transport services in France may also be affected by the strike.

“We recommend all customers allow plenty of extra time to get to and from the airport and consider alternative transport options.”

Most rail services are close to normal, but there is disruption on some local services in the Paris region.

A special timetable is in operation between the capital’s Charles de Gaulle airport and the city centre.

Separately, Air France has warned its profits will be cut by the reduction in demand in response to the spread of coronavirus Covid-19.

In its financial results for 2019, the airline said “the ongoing geopolitical situation in Hong Kong” had hit its performance last year.

The French airline said it expected the impact of flight cancellations to China to cost it at least €50m (£42m) per month between February and April.