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Travel to and from France will be severely disrupted from this morning owing to large-scale strikes across the country in protest at plans to overhaul its retirement system.<\/p>\nTravel to and from France will be severely disrupted from this morning owing to large-scale strikes across the country in protest at plans to overhaul its retirement system.<\/p>\n
The walkout is expected to hit transport the hardest as flights, trains and buses suffer cancellations, and most of the Paris subway system comes to a halt.<\/p>\n
A number of Aer Lingus and Ryanair flights out of Ireland have been cancelled today as a result.<\/p>\n
Thousands of passengers have been affected and the airlines have both advised customers to check their flight’s status.<\/p>\n
Air France said around 30% of its domestic flights would be cancelled.<\/p>\n
No tickets are available on Eurostar trains until Tuesday, with the company saying it had cancelled almost 100 services between now and then.<\/p>\n
Easyjet and British Airways have also opted to cancel many of their flights to and from France.<\/p>\n
As tourists cancelled travel plans, police said they would deploy thousands of extra officers across Paris to help the city cope with what is expected to be a challenging day.<\/p>\n
Workers at the national railway SNCF stopped on work on Wednesday evening while other services planned to shut down this morning for an indefinite period.<\/p>\n
In Paris, where workers\u2019 unions are planning a large-scale protest march today, police are warning of possible violence and damage and ordered all businesses, cafes and restaurants along the route to close.<\/p>\n
Authorities also issued a ban on protests on the Champs-Elysees, around the presidential palace, parliament and Notre Dame Cathedral.<\/p>\n
Paris police chief Didier Lallement said 6,000 police officers would be deployed around the city, amid fears that yellow vest protest groups and extremist troublemakers could join the action.<\/p>\n
The Eiffel Tower is warning tourists to delay a visit to the famous monument because the strike will disrupt access today.<\/p>\n
The Louvre Museum said its opening today may be delayed and some viewing rooms may be closed.<\/p>\n
Hotels across Paris reported receiving numerous cancellations ahead of the strike, as wary tourists eyed closing transport routes and decided to skip their Paris trips.<\/p>\n
The SNCF railway company expects nine out of 10 high-speed trains to be cancelled.<\/p>\n
The French government said 55% of teachers would be on strike today and hospitals will also be affected.<\/p>\n
Workers are angry at President Emmanuel Macron\u2019s plan to streamline the country\u2019s 42 state pension systems, fearing they will have to work longer and earn less upon retirement.<\/p>\n