French travel delays expected as pilots strike and train drivers threaten walkout

As the French get back into their stride after last week's one day train drivers' strike disrupted travel throughout the country, they can now look forward to another few days of possible travelling chaos.

Yes - there's another strike scheduled for next Wednesday.

But even before the delights of yet again struggling into work, France will be treated to a weekend's worth of flight delays as Air France-KLM pilots go on strike.

Management has already warned passengers that they can expect significant disruption during the action which begins on Friday, with at least half of scheduled flights forecast to be cancelled tomorrow alone.

Interviewed on national radio on Thursday morning, the president of the Air France-KLM, Jean-Cyril Spinetta, warned that the strike could have serious consequences for the airline.

"The action is pointless," he said. " It comes at the worst possible moment and it'll have an effect on the confidence our customers have in the airline at both home and abroad," he added.

"And it'll cost the company millions of euros."

The protest is over government plans to increase the retirement age for pilots from 60 to 65 - part of a package of reforms due to be discussed in parliament shortly.

The claim by unions representing the pilots is that the amendments constitute a "violation of an earlier promise" by the transport minister, Dominique Bussereau, that the retirement age for pilots would be "a matter of negotiation."

Unions representing cabin crew have already given consent to government plans to increase their retirement age from 55 to 65, and have even requested that the change be introduced a year earlier than originally planned.

So no happy flying this weekend if you're planning a trip on an Air France-KLM 'plane, and the airline recommends taking a look at the website and it has also given two numbers to call for more information on flight cancellations.

Within France, dial 0800 240 260, and from abroad call 00 33 157 02 10 55

Meanwhile if you have somehow managed to make it here by the time the strike finishes on Monday, you're likely to be greeted by delays on the country's railways a couple of days later.

If it happens, it won't be widespread action, but could still cause headaches for many if, as threatened, train drivers from two unions begin action on Wednesday.

At the heart of the dispute is an attempt by SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français - the French national railway company) to re-negotiate working conditions with some freight train drivers.

It follows a similar strike last week which caused delays to commuter trains, but largely spared international destinations.

But it will differ in being more than simply one day of action, with the unions threatening to continue into Thursday.

Happy travelling - or as they say here - bon voyage indeed.