Flights in and out of Gatwick Airport and Eurostar train services will both be hit by French industrial action for FIVE days starting tonight
- Workers in France are striking from tonight in widespread protests over pensions
- The impact on French transport networks is expected to knock on to the UK
- Eurostar, Gatwick and British Airways have all warned passengers today
Air passengers and Eurostar travellers are being told they could face disruption for the next five days due to nationwide strikes in France.
Workers in most sectors in France are planning a walk-out this evening in protest at President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to overhaul the retirement system.
Transport routes are expected to be hit, with knock-on problems for some services in the UK.
Eurostar passengers travelling to Paris from London St Pancras can expect delays
Eurostar released a statement saying: ‘The strike action will impact our ability to deliver the usual timetable as we expect disruption to signalling along all routes. As a result, we will now run a reduced timetable from the 5 until the 10 December.
‘Exchanges during the strike period are possible, although availability is very limited. We do still advise that you travel outside of the strike period.
‘Should you choose to travel between the 5 December and 10 December, we would ask you to check the likely impact for your journey, including any onward connection, before making your exchange.’
Meanwhile Gatwick Airport tweeted: ‘Industrial action in France from 18:00 on Weds 4 December to 06:00 on Sun 8 December may impact some flights to and from Gatwick. We advise passengers to contact their airline for further information and to check the status of their flight.’
BA released a statement saying: ‘Like all airlines, our operations to and from French airports and certain airports in Spain and Switzerland between Thursday 5th December and Saturday 7th December are likely to be affected by French Air Traffic Control industrial action which is due to take place.
‘Yet again industrial action in France will unfortunately cause unnecessary disruption for some of our customers travelling at this busy time.
‘We have had to cancel a number of flights but will be aiming to use larger aircraft where possible, on other services to help affected customers.
‘In addition, we have introduced a flexible booking policy for customers booked to travel between Thursday 5th December and Saturday 7th December to/from the French airports, Barcelona, Madrid, Basel, Geneva and Zurich.
‘While France’s industrial action is clearly beyond our control, we are sorry for any potential disruption to your travel plans.’
Gatwick Airport has also warned air passengers they may also be affected by the strikes
Tourists in France are also being warned of potential violent clashes in big cities.
The Eiffel Tower is warning tourists to delay a visit to the iconic monument because the strike will disrupt access on Thursday.
The Louvre Museum says its opening Thursday may be delayed, and some viewing rooms may be closed.
Hotels across Paris reported receiving numerous cancellations ahead of the strike, as wary tourists eyed closing transport routes and decided to skip their Paris vacations.
Workers are angry at Macron’s plan to streamline the country’s 42 state pension systems, fearing they will have to work longer and earn less upon retirement.