French air traffic controllers are planning a strike between May 8 and May 10, French media reported. The authorities have asked airlines to reduce their flight plans by 30 percent at Paris o 'leary, Lyon, marseille and Toulouse airports.

It is understood that the French authorities set a minimum level of service to ensure that 50 percent of the aircraft through the airspace, while others can avoid the French airspace. Airports in Paris, orly, Lyon, marseille and Toulouse, as well as in the nantes region, were heavily affected, with airports in perpignan and Boise city closed overnight. EasyJet has cancelled at least 54 departures.

EasyJet expects its flight plans to be disrupted by a nationwide strike on Thursday May 9 that will affect public services including French air traffic controllers, a spokesman said. This would affect flights to and from France, as well as flights over French airspace, which could be severely affected during this period.

British airways has cancelled a total of 36 flights, including six to Paris, four to heathrow and nice, and one-way flights from heathrow to Lyon and marseille. The airline also grounded six flights between heathrow and Barcelona and shuttled between Geneva and Basel.

A spokesman for British airways said the French air traffic control union had once again caused unnecessary frustration and disruption to customers at a busy time of year.

Source: Beijing toutiao client