Irish tourists and lorry drivers due to travel to France are facing serious travel disruptions this week due to a series of strikes by French transport workers.
French truckers are due to start road blockades at ports, distribution centres and fuel depots from 9 p.m. (Irish time) in a pay and conditions dispute.
And air travel to France will be hit when French air traffic controllers begin a planned 32-hour walk-out tomorrow, forcing Irish and UK carriers to cancel or reschedule flights.
Despite ongoing last minute talks between the truckers unions and their employers, terms were not expected to be agreed before 10 p.m. local time, when the blockades are due to begin at major roads across France.
Britain's hauliers warned of knock-on disruption to ferry traffic at Calais and Dover, raising the prospect of tourists and goods drivers being stranded the wrong side of the Channel.
Mr Geoff Dossetter, from the Freight Transport Association, cautioned that the industrial action could have a highly damaging impact on trade.
He urged the French authorities to make sure British lorry drivers had the freedom of movement they are "guaranteed" under EU law.
"We are looking to the French Government to maintain the free movement of lorries into ports and across France despite the currency of this industrial dispute," he said.
Mr Dossetter said there were likely to be severe problems for cross-Channel traffic, with on average 5,000 vehicles travelling through Dover and Calais in each direction every day.
Budget carrier Go was also rescheduling its flights to Nice and Lyon, and Ryanair, Buzz and easyJet said they were monitoring the situation and poised to make changes if necessary.
PA