Paris, May 27: Upto 80% of flights scheduled for today were cancelled as members of the CGT union struck work to protest the government's latest pension reforms. Teachers, hospital staff, postal workers and telecommunications employees were among thousands of other workers who joined the strike.
The Channel port of Cherbourg was blockaded by striking education workers. Nearly all roads into the town were blocked with burning barricades or human chains. In the southern city of Marseille, bus and train drivers joined the strike, while in Paris some rubbish collectors stayed away from work for a second day.
But the impact on flights was among the most severe.

Air France said it would operate only about a third of its short- and medium-haul flights, although its long-haul flights would be less affected.
British Airways was operating only 17 of its normal total of more than 100 flights.
The disruption is the latest in a string of protests by French public sector workers, angry at government plans to reform the pension system.
The bill outlining the changes is expected to be approved by the French cabinet on Wednesday, and presented to the French parliament in a few weeks' time.
The proposed law would mean workers having to contribute to state funds for longer in order to qualify for a full pension. That could delay some people's retirement beyond the normal age.
The government insists the reforms are necessary to cope with increasing demands on the pension system. Bureau Report