Flights between Ireland and France have been severely disrupted today as a result of a nationwide strike affecting public transport in France.
Ryanair have cancelled the following flights - FR1982 Dublin to Biarritz; FR1983 Biarritz to Dublin; FR24 Dublin to Paris Beauvais; FR25 Paris Beauvais to Dublin; FR26 Dublin to Paris Beauvais; and FR29 Paris Beauvais to Dublin.
Aer Lingus and Air France have also been forced to cancel some flights with delays expected on others. Passengers are advised to contact their airline before travelling.
The French strike is in response to trade union calls to put pressure on the conservative government over high unemployment and the cost of living.
Unions began the industrial action yesterday evening. Queues were starting to grow at Paris railway stations as the morning rush hour began today, although Parisians are used to such strikes, and many are likely to simply stay at home.
Long-distance flights and high-speed international trains should run on schedule, but rail traffic within France could be cut by half to two-thirds, officials said. An air traffic controllers' strike should hit domestic air traffic, although aviation officials could not say by how much.
Urban transport will be disrupted in Paris and at least 74 other cities, and 150 protest marches are expected across the country.
The unemployment rate has fallen to just under 10 per cent of the workforce since Dominique de Villepin was appointed prime minister, but almost three-in-four French people support the day of protests, according to a new opinion poll.
Many schools are expected to remain shut because of the absence of staff such as teachers and canteen workers. Other public sector and energy workers are expected to stage protests, but no power cuts were expected for consumers.
Such protests do not always attract the widespread backing unions expect. But if supported, they could spell the end of the new prime minister's honeymoon period in which opinion polls show his popularity has surged.
Additional reporting: Reuters