Major demonstrations will unfold on the streets of Paris today, where there will be an outpouring of anger against President Emmanuel Macron’s proposed pension policy. Unions across the country have launched nationwide strikes in light of the plans, which would see the streamlining of the current retirement system.
France’s current pension system comprises of more than 40 plans, which all have different retirement ages and benefits.
Under Macron’s proposed plans, the pension system in France would be overhauled into a single, points-based system.
Today the railway and metro stations in Paris were left largely deserted, as commuters took to bicycles or worked from home instead.
Striking workers across many sectors will particularly damage travel operations over the next few days, with major airlines and train companies announcing widespread cancellations.
READ MORE: France strike: Macron protests cause CHAOS with flights, Eurostar
“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.”
If you are travelling by plane, many airlines have cancelled a number of their flights.
British Airways have cancelled many of their flights to and from France, but said it “will be aiming to use larger aircraft where possible, on other services to help affected customers.”
Ryanair have also cancelled some of their flights, and told passengers: “If you have not received an email or SMS message, then we expect your flight to operate as scheduled.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by this national strike.”
Easyjet have cancelled hundreds of flights across its network, and are advising customers to check their flight status before travelling, either online or on the mobile app.
Can you seek refunds for delayed and cancelled flights?
If your flight has been cancelled, you may be able to book onto an alternative flight or get a refund.
For customers booked to travel between Thursday, December 5 and Saturday, December 7, to and from the French airports, as well as Barcelona, Madrid, Basel, Geneva and Zurich, British Airways have introduced a flexible booking policy.
However, if your flight is cancelled and you no longer wish to travel on an alternative flight, you will be able to cancel your booking and get a refund.
In light of the cancellations, Easyjet are offering customers affected by cancellations refunds, or a transfer to another flight free of charge.
Ryanair notify passengers when a flight has been cancelled by text or email, and they also offer refunds or a free change of flight in the event of a cancellation.
As strikes are often seen as an “extraordinary circumstance”, airlines are not usually obligated to offer compensation.
However, you may also be able to make a claim through your travel insurance, providing you have a policy which entitles you to this.
