Many flights were cancelled in France and many small airports across France were closed due to a strike called by the French air traffic controllers to protest plans for unifying European air space.

Almost 50% of the flights from Orly airport in Paris and nearly 10% of the flights from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris were cancelled due to this strike. The news was also confirmed by the French civil aviation authority, the DGAC.

Air France confirmed that the strike did not have an impact on long-haul international flights. It also reported that it will be returning to a normal flight schedule from Thursday.

The strike saw participation from almost 30% of the air traffic controllers and this was lesser than the expected numbers.

It is expected that the strike will end by Thursday morning.

Most of the air traffic controllers feel that the Single European Sky project will lead to a lot of job cuts and many of them will lose their jobs. As per this plan, the number of air traffic systems in the European Union will be reduced to nine hubs from the present 27.

A lot of travelers faced problems due to the strike. These strikes were also criticized by a lot of people who feel that unions should resist the proposals for pension reforms and also increase the retirement age.