Strike over right to strike hits French flights

Hundreds of flights in France have been cancelled on day two of a four-day walkout over plans to make aviation workers give more notice before striking.

Air France has been badly hit, cancelling around half of its long-haul and a third of short and medium-haul flights.

Unions representing pilots and cabin and ground crew oppose moves to make them give 48 hours notice before going on strike.

“We are in an electoral period, so the government will not give in easily. We know that, we’re patient. Every day we will show we are mobilised, and every day we will show that this law is useless,” said Yves Deshayes, leader of the SNPL pilots’ union.

The Paris airport authority ADP said 40 per cent of flights out of Charles de Gaulle airport were cancelled on Tuesday.

However airports have been quiet as many passengers received advance warning, but disruption is planned until Thursday.

The government says the draft law will improve passengers’ rights; unions see it as an attack on the right to strike.

Air France wants an overhaul of company agreements to become more competitive.

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