Walkout Includes Air Traffic Controllers, Runs Through Friday

A one-day public workers strike in France disrupted air travel around that country as Air Traffic Controllers walked off their jobs Wednesday at 1900 local time.

The walkout is part of a broader labor action on the part of many public sector workers, and was scheduled to end at 0600 local time Friday.

Eurocontrol said the walkout caused "big delays" in some areas of France, according to a report appearing on Buying Business Travel online.

In a statement, Air France said that it planned to operate all of its flights as scheduled, but "some delays are expected and last minute cancellations could occur. In addition, access to the airports could take longer."

British Airways also said some flights to and from France were "likely to experience delays," and Easyjet said its flights in the region, including overflights not originating or landing in France, could be affected as well.

The BBC reports that the public sector workers called the strike to protest cuts in spending by that country's Socialist government.

FMI: www.eurocontrol.int