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French air traffic strike problems continue for UK French air traffic strike problems continue for UK
(34 minutes later)
British passengers are continuing to have their flights disrupted because of a strike by French air traffic controllers.British passengers are continuing to have their flights disrupted because of a strike by French air traffic controllers.
The industrial action against budget cuts, which began on Tuesday, is due to last six days.The industrial action against budget cuts, which began on Tuesday, is due to last six days.
Easyjet has cancelled about 20% of Wednesday's flights into and out of France, and expects to cancel more.Easyjet has cancelled about 20% of Wednesday's flights into and out of France, and expects to cancel more.
And the disruption could spread with possible action by Belgian air traffic controllers later on Wednesday.And the disruption could spread with possible action by Belgian air traffic controllers later on Wednesday.
This would be significant as currently many flights which cannot fly over France are being re-routed over Belgium.This would be significant as currently many flights which cannot fly over France are being re-routed over Belgium.
Dominique Dehaene, spokesman for Belgocontrol - which handles Belgian civil airspace safety - said unions were currently meeting management in a dispute over proposed cuts and staffing issues.Dominique Dehaene, spokesman for Belgocontrol - which handles Belgian civil airspace safety - said unions were currently meeting management in a dispute over proposed cuts and staffing issues.
If an agreement is not made then strike action involving air traffic control and technical staff would begin at 17:00 local time (16:00 BST) and involve all of Belgian airspace.If an agreement is not made then strike action involving air traffic control and technical staff would begin at 17:00 local time (16:00 BST) and involve all of Belgian airspace.
Belgian unions had not yet made clear how long the strike would be for, Mr Dehaene said. A strike update statement on Monarch's website claims it could be for 24 hours.Belgian unions had not yet made clear how long the strike would be for, Mr Dehaene said. A strike update statement on Monarch's website claims it could be for 24 hours.
UK flights affected
'Heavily disrupted''Heavily disrupted'
Paul Clifton, BBC South transport correspondent, said there were due to be 350 direct flights between the UK and France during the period of the strike lasting until Monday.Paul Clifton, BBC South transport correspondent, said there were due to be 350 direct flights between the UK and France during the period of the strike lasting until Monday.
Passengers due to fly have been urged to check the status of their flight with their airlines.Passengers due to fly have been urged to check the status of their flight with their airlines.
Ryanair has cancelled 15% of its flights on Wednesday, mainly affecting travel to and from France and Spain.Ryanair has cancelled 15% of its flights on Wednesday, mainly affecting travel to and from France and Spain.
It said all its affected customers had been contacted by email and SMS.It said all its affected customers had been contacted by email and SMS.
"We expect these disruptions to flights to/from France, Belgium and Spain will worsen... as all airlines schedules are heavily disrupted by this unnecessary and regrettable French [air traffic control] strike," it said in a statement on its website on Wednesday."We expect these disruptions to flights to/from France, Belgium and Spain will worsen... as all airlines schedules are heavily disrupted by this unnecessary and regrettable French [air traffic control] strike," it said in a statement on its website on Wednesday.
Easyjet said 65% of its flights went over French airspace and were subject to French air traffic regulations "and as such we are expecting significant delays to many of our flights".Easyjet said 65% of its flights went over French airspace and were subject to French air traffic regulations "and as such we are expecting significant delays to many of our flights".
The French Civil Aviation Authority was meeting on Wednesday to discuss the impact of strike action for Thursday, the airline said, adding that it would give a further update once the result of that meeting was known.The French Civil Aviation Authority was meeting on Wednesday to discuss the impact of strike action for Thursday, the airline said, adding that it would give a further update once the result of that meeting was known.
Monarch Airlines said it had not cancelled any flights during the strike period and continued to "try to minimise disruption for our customers as much as possible".Monarch Airlines said it had not cancelled any flights during the strike period and continued to "try to minimise disruption for our customers as much as possible".
Flybe also said it had not cancelled any flights on Wednesday.