Flights cancelled as air traffic controllers re-join French general strike

Airlines have been forced to cancel more flights to and from France – and over French air space – as air traffic control staff walk out again.

A National Strike in France began at 7pm local time on Monday and is set to continue until 6am on Wednesday (December 18).

Ryanair, British Airways, easyJet and Air France are among the airlines who have been forced to cancel flights.

BA said operations to and from French airports and certain airports in Spain and Switzerland are likely to be affected.

"Yet again industrial action in France will, unfortunately, cause unnecessary disruption for some of our customers travelling at this busy time," it said.

"We have had to cancel a number of flights but will be aiming to use larger aircraft where possible, on other services to help affected customers."

It has introduced a flexible booking policy for customers booked to travel on Tuesday to and from all French airports, as well as Barcelona, Madrid, Basel, Geneva and Zurich.

Ryanair and easyJet also warned of cancellations and delays and advised customers to check their websites.

Air France said it will operate all of its flights to and from Paris Charles de Gaulle but only 80% of its domestic flights to and from Paris Orly.

It said long-haul flights will operate as scheduled but said last-minute delays and cancellations can’t be excluded.

Eurostar will continue to run a reduced timetable until at least Wednesday due to the ongoing industrial action.

Members of transport trade unions and in other sectors have been staging walk-outs since December 5.

The rail operator has been running a reduced schedule since the strikes began and had originally warned customers of disruption up until the end of tomorrow (Tuesday).

But with no end in sight to the widespread dispute, which is over changes to the pension proposed by the French Government, Eurostar has now added an extra day.

"The strike action will impact our ability to deliver the usual timetable as we expect disruption to signalling along all routes. As a result, we will now run a reduced timetable until 18~December," it said.

Anyone booked on a cancelled train can exchange or get a refund for their ticket up to 60 days from the date of their journey.

"As the situation is now clearer, exchanges during the strike period are possible, although availability is very limited. We do still advise that you travel outside the strike period. Should you choose to travel we would ask you to check the likely impact for your journey, including any onward connection, before making your exchange," Eurostar told passengers.

It also warned of major disruption to Metro and RER services in Paris and connecting trains to all destinations within France.