Hundreds of flights to and from France cancelled over strikeApril 8, 2015 - 14:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Hundreds of flights to and from France have been cancelled as air traffic controllers begin industrial action, according to BBC News. The SNCTA union - France's largest - called the two-day strike in a dispute over working conditions. The DGAC civil aviation authority has asked airlines to cut their scheduled flights by 40%. Short-haul flights have been the worst affected but France's largest airline, Air France, said long-haul flights were still operating. The airline added that 60% of medium-haul flights from and to Paris' main airport, Charles de Gaulle, would still operate, but that it would ground two out of three flights at Paris' second-largest airport, Orly. "Disruption is expected over the whole country," the DGAC said in a statement. Travellers have been advised to contact their airline. France's civil aviation agency said part of the dispute involves plans to raise the retirement age for controllers from 67 to 69 years. Further strikes are planned for April 16-18and April 29- May 2, coinciding with spring school holidays in France. Low-cost airline Ryanair says it has had to cancel more than 250 flights, with further cancellations likely. "We sincerely apologise to all customers affected by this unwarranted strike action and we call on the EU and French authorities to take measures to prevent any further disruption," said Ryanair in a statement. "It's grossly unfair that thousands of European travellers will once again have their travel plans disrupted by the selfish actions of a tiny number of French ATC [air traffic control] workers." Travellers booked on short and medium-haul Air France flights on Wednesday or Thursday can choose to travel between 10 and 15 April instead, it said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |