BRITS heading to France this week for Christmas markets and festive booze run are set to face travel misery due to strikes across the country.
The industrial action will hit trains, buses and planes, with Eurostar having already cancelled a number of services.
1
The national strikes are set to begin at 7pm on Wednesday (December 4).
While the strike will mainly affect local services, French air traffic controllers (ATC) are also planning to walk out, which will mean disruption to flights to and from France as well as over French air space.
When the French ATC went on strike earlier this year, over 500 flights had to be cancelled.
British Airways said that passengers booked to fly between December 5 and 7 from any French airport, as well as Barcelona and Madrid, can move their flights to either December 3 or 4 or to dates between December 8 or 12.
An easyJet spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: “easyJet is aware of national strike action in France on 5 December, including air traffic control, airport fire service and public transport workers in response to national pension reform proposals.
Like all airlines operating to and from France, easyJet is expecting some disruption to its flying programme.”
“Although this is outside of our control, we would like to apologise to all our customers for any inconvenience caused and would like to reassure them we are doing all possible to minimise any disruption as a result of the strike action.”
Meanwhile, several services to Paris, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Brussels have already been cancelled between December 5 and 8.
Eurostar said that customers who are affected by cancellations will be notified and are advised to check their website for the latest update.
Those who are affected by the cancellations are able to exchange their tickets for another day or get a full refund.
And for those who are planning to travel between December 5 and 8, you’ll be able to postpone your journey for free.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned of severe delays that could affect “trains, metros, busses and trams” across France.
Brits heading to France next week should therefore check before they travel to make sure services are still running.
The strike action, over proposed changes to the French pension system, will begin on December 5 but could last into the new year according to The Local.
Several transport unions across France have said they will strike, which could mean delays and disruption to trains, metros, busses and trams in cities around the country.
Last year, it was revealed that French air traffic controllers were responsible for a third of flight delays in Europe.
A terror warning was recently issued for Christmas market destinations across Europe.
Sun Online Travel recently revealed some of the most dangerous destinations to travel to in 2020.
