40 percent of flights cancelled in France amid strike

PARIS (AP) — French air traffic controllers have gone on strike, prompting cancellation of 40 percent of flights across France.

The powerful SNCTA union called the strike on Wednesday and Thursday in a quarrel over working and retirement conditions, saying in a statement that "disruption is expected over the whole country."

France's main airline, Air France, says that long-haul flights will not be affected, and guarantees some 60 percent of medium-haul flights.

Two out of three local flights will remain grounded.

France's civil aviation agency says part of the dispute involves conditions for raising the retirement age for controllers from 67 to 69 years.

Further strikes are planned April 16-18 and April 29-May 2, coinciding with spring school holidays in France.