FRANCE: Flights cancelled as French strikes bite

Record ID: 340165

  • Title: FRANCE: Flights cancelled as French strikes bite
  • Date: 13th October 2010
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF TRAFFIC (6 SHOTS) ARC DE TRIOMPHE TOULOUSE, FRANCE (OCTOBER 12, 2010) (REUTERS) (NIGHTSHOTS) EXTERIOR OF TOULOUSE AIRPORT VARIOUS OF TOULOUSE AIRPORT, DESERTED BY PASSENGERS AS MOST FLIGHTS CANCELLED (12 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 28th October 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Employment,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAF0UOG77LWTAPTJSKR7RL8Z022
  • Story Text: Up to half of flights from Paris's Orly airport were expected to be cancelled on Tuesday (October 12), hit by the latest wave of strikes against French government plans to raise the retirement age, as several million people were expected to take to the streets in more than 200 demonstrations to protest at the controversial move.
    As the strikes had been announced well ahead of time, airlines had been able to re-book most passengers either on to planes taking off on different days or alternative flights on the same day.
    "Clearly the strikes are having an impact. I came to accompany my son who is catching the plane. I don't know what time I'll get back to Paris. I have to be back at work at nine o' clock but with all the stoppages I'll be lucky if I get in by 10.30," said one man at Orly airport, south of Paris.
    On the capital's metro system disruption was patchy but noticeable. Some lines were working at near full capacity, but others at only around half. Passengers long used to the French tradition of strikes and disruptions waited patiently for underground trains to arrive.
    Although annoyed by the disruptions, some passengers supported the strikes, which aim to force the government from backing down from plans to raise the minimum retirement age to 62 from 60 by 2018.
    "It's now or never to protest. The stakes are high. If one wants to retire at 60, one has to make the point now," said one woman.
    On the streets of the capital, traffic built up earlier than usual. But, as with many previous stoppages some people chose to take the day off instead of fighting their way through the morning traffic.
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