Trains and flights to France cancelled due to strikes

People travelling to France have been warned to expect flight cancellations due to strikes over pension reforms.

Ferry crossings and rail services are set to be affected, with companies such as Eurostar and P&O Ferries warning of delays and disruption to journeys.

Unions are staging a general strike in France over proposed pension changes, which include raising the retirement age from 62 to 64.

It's the sixth big strike since January and protests are planned in Paris.

With the French government showing no sign of backing down on its pension plan, one union leader has warned of escalation and "bringing the country to its knees". Fuel deliveries and refining were disrupted at several French sites operated by TotalEnergies and Esso on Tuesday.

Most industries including travel will be hit by the walkouts. A majority of train and metro services have been cancelled, and schools will be closed.

• French plan to raise pension age by two years to 64

Both Easyjet and Ryanair said cancellations and delays to flights were possible on Tuesday and Wednesday, due to French Air Traffic Control staff walking out.

The airlines both apologised for the inconvenience but said the disruption was out of their control.

Ryanair said any affected passengers would be "notified as soon as possible", while Easyjet said those impacted were being "notified in advance and offered the option to change their flight for free or receive a refund".

Easyjet said airlines had been requested by French authorities to "make cancellations" because of the flights.

Trains and ferries

Eurostar said it would be running a reduced timetable on Tuesday and Wednesday and urged passengers to check if their train had been cancelled before travelling.

P&O Ferries said it was sailing between Dover and Calais "with some disruption" to services.

"We anticipate this to be the case for the rest of the day," it said in a Twitter post.

French transport minister Clement Beaune said Tuesday's strike would be "one of the most difficult ones" for travellers.

"For many it will be a real hassle," he said.

According to an opinion poll by French survey group Elabe, the majority of citizens back the ongoing strikes against President Emmanuel Macron's pension reforms.

Mr Macron has called the reform "essential" because of deficits forecast for France's pension system over the next 25 years.

Neighbouring European economies have already raised the retirement age to 65 or above to reflect longer life expectancy. In the UK, the state pension age is gradually increasing for men and women, and will reach 67 by 2028.