Number of flights to and from Paris’ main airports were cancelled on Friday for the fourth day running as an air traffic controllers strike continued, aviation authorities told AFP. Domestic flights from the Orly hub were the worst hit, with 50 percent cancelled, while at the larger Charles de Gaulle international airport, 15 percent of services were abandoned.
Air France said it would be able to operate all of its long-haul services, but predicted disruption on European and domestic flights.

"It’s more or less the same situation as Thursday," a spokesman for the Paris airports operator ADP told AFP, urging travellers to check with their airline before heading to the airport. Air traffic control union leaders met the French transport minister late Wednesday but afterwards said the strike would continue until they receive adequate assurances over the future status of their service.

The strike was called to protest a plan to merge French air traffic control with that of five neighbouring countries, a plan which staff fear will see them lose some of their generous working conditions. The strike is due to end on Saturday.