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| More than 100 flights across Europe cancelled amid French strikes | More than 100 flights across Europe cancelled amid French strikes |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| More than 100 flights across Europe have been cancelled and many others delayed due to a strike by French air traffic controllers just over a week before the Euro 2016 football tournament begins in the country. | More than 100 flights across Europe have been cancelled and many others delayed due to a strike by French air traffic controllers just over a week before the Euro 2016 football tournament begins in the country. |
| Dozens were cancelled in the UK alone, with services to and from France as well as those that travelled over French airspace to Italy or Spain among those affected. | Dozens were cancelled in the UK alone, with services to and from France as well as those that travelled over French airspace to Italy or Spain among those affected. |
| Heathrow confirmed 40 flights had been called off on Thursday. Gatwick said a total of 28 flights had been cancelled. | |
| Related: Striking rail workers halt half of French train services | Related: Striking rail workers halt half of French train services |
| Other airports appeared less affected, with one departure to Spain cancelled at Birmingham, and two at Glasgow. | Other airports appeared less affected, with one departure to Spain cancelled at Birmingham, and two at Glasgow. |
| The strike is part of wider union action in France against proposed government changes to the country’s labour laws that would make hiring and firing employees easier. French rail services were affected, but the impact on air traffic control services was minimised after only one union, the CGT, took part. | The strike is part of wider union action in France against proposed government changes to the country’s labour laws that would make hiring and firing employees easier. French rail services were affected, but the impact on air traffic control services was minimised after only one union, the CGT, took part. |
| France’s transport minister, Alain Vidalies, said the government hoped to avert disruption to Euro 2016, which begins on 10 June. The strike, also affecting refineries and nuclear power plants, is due to last into the weekend. However, Vidalies said four of the five unions involved had agreed to call it off, leaving the CGT somewhat isolated. | France’s transport minister, Alain Vidalies, said the government hoped to avert disruption to Euro 2016, which begins on 10 June. The strike, also affecting refineries and nuclear power plants, is due to last into the weekend. However, Vidalies said four of the five unions involved had agreed to call it off, leaving the CGT somewhat isolated. |
| Ryanair said it had cancelled 75 flights across Europe on Thursday, including 12 to or from the UK. Easyjet put the cancellation figure at 32, with 20 involving UK airports. Both airlines have called for an end to the strikes. | Ryanair said it had cancelled 75 flights across Europe on Thursday, including 12 to or from the UK. Easyjet put the cancellation figure at 32, with 20 involving UK airports. Both airlines have called for an end to the strikes. |
| EasyJet said: “As a member of Airlines for Europe we are working with other airlines to call on governments and the EU to develop an action plan to minimise the impact of air traffic control strikes on passengers.” | EasyJet said: “As a member of Airlines for Europe we are working with other airlines to call on governments and the EU to develop an action plan to minimise the impact of air traffic control strikes on passengers.” |
| France’s president, François Hollande, has rejected demands from the CGT that he scrap a bill to give companies more freedom to negotiate in-house deals on pay and conditions. An opinion poll for Le Figaro magazine showed 60% of respondents believe the CGT is abusing the right to strike. Previous polls had shown the strike had majority support. | France’s president, François Hollande, has rejected demands from the CGT that he scrap a bill to give companies more freedom to negotiate in-house deals on pay and conditions. An opinion poll for Le Figaro magazine showed 60% of respondents believe the CGT is abusing the right to strike. Previous polls had shown the strike had majority support. |
| The government is keen to minimise disruption before Euro 2016, during which around 2.5 million people are expected to attend matches across the country. | The government is keen to minimise disruption before Euro 2016, during which around 2.5 million people are expected to attend matches across the country. |