Air-controllers' strike grounds Ireland to Paris flights

FRANCE/IRELAND: All flights from Ireland to Paris have been cancelled today beacuse of the French air traffic controllers' strike. Irish road hauliers have so far escaped the effects of French industrial action, however, as the blockades mounted by truckers on Sunday and early yesterday disappeared.

Aer Lingus said its four scheduled flights to Paris today - three from Dublin and one from Cork - had been grounded, while Ryanair also cancelled its operations to and from Beauvais Airport.

Cityjet also cancelled its five daily flights between Dublin and Paris. Normal services are expected to resume tomorrow.

The Irish Road Hauliers' Association said its members had avoided problems to date, partly through starting journeys early in response to warnings, and partly because the French truckers' action had not been as effective as expected.

A spokesman, Mr Jimmy Quinn, said drivers were making alternative arrangements where possible.

"If they're going to Italy, they're looking at Austria as a crossing point. Or with Spain, there's the option of direct ferries from England. But France is the crossroads of Europe, so there's a limit to what you can do."

He said they could not simply cancel trips on the possibility of escalation of the dispute, especially when transporting perishable goods such as food. "They'll just have to take their chances."