European and French domestic flights are likely to be seriously disrupted later Wednesday when French controllers plan a strike to protest proposals to standardize air traffic control in the European Union.
The 36-hour stoppage is set to begin at 7.00 p.m. (1800 GMT) Wednesday.
Air France and Air Lib have warned of major delays on internal routes Thursday. European carriers Alitalia, SAS, British Airways and Lufthansa have also said travellers could face a series of cancellations late Wednesday and Thursday.
US carrier Delta Airlines, however, said its transatlantic service would in general be maintained.
French air traffic controllers oppose a plan put forwward by the EU's executive commission to establish a single air traffic control regime in the 15-member European Union by 2005.
At present, each EU member is responsible for managing its own airspace according to its own regulations.
Unions fear that the "European sky" concept will lead to the privatization of air traffic control in Europe. French controllers are currently employed by the transport ministry.
French Transport Minister Jean-Claude Gayssot appealed on Wednesday to controllers to act "responsibly" at a time when "air transport is not in good shape."
He stressed that there was "no opposition between the positions of the government and the unions" and that the government supported "maintaining the status of state employees."
He added: "Brussels will not have the last word.
"The government ... is also for preserving the role of the state in matters concerning security and safety operations such as air traffic control," adding that the strike call "does not seem to me to be the most useful step to take."
France has recently been hit with strikes or strike threats in other sectors as well.
Around 500 employees at the central bank's largest sorting, counting, checking and recycling facility have been on strike since last Wednesday over pay, working conditions and questions about their future after the euro changeover on January 1, 2002.
Postal employees have vowed to strike December 14 as have bank employees on January 2, both groups unhappy with working and salary conditions connected with the switch to the single currency.
On Tuesday about 300 French gendarmes, forbidden by their military status from holding demonstrations, nonetheless staged a protest in the southern French city of Montpellier to press demands for improved pay and working conditions -- AFP
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
