French strikes: Travelling to France will be difficult

Photo Courtesy: AFP

France will be hit by by severe travel disruption as hundreds of trains and planes are set to be cancelled in France and scores of schools closed as unions go on strike. Public service workers, air traffic controllers and rail staff in France are on a major strike.

Public service workers in France have long been angry over pay – which is currently frozen – that has not kept up with inflation and are upset at changes to their sick pay. Unions accuse President Emmanuel Macron of wanting to take a sledgehammer to the public sector.

Hundreds of TGV and mainline rail services cancelled across the country and Paris rail commuters are advised to avoid travel. However, Paris Metro is running almost as normal. Between 25 per cent and 30 per cent of short haul Air France flights were cancelled at CDG and Orly airports in Paris. Around 34 flights are cancelled from Nice airport and 40 from Toulouse Blagnac. Ryanair and easyJet has cancelled scores of flights to/from/over France. French rail workers, known as cheminots are planning to strike for almost 36 days until the end of June.