French air traffic strike: many Paris Orly and Marseille flights cancelled

The 36-hour walkout by air traffic controllers comes as protesters return to streets in anger over government labour reforms.

Strikes by French air traffic controllers are expected to cause travel chaos for thousands of passengers on Thursday.

Aviation authorities told airlines to cancel 20% of their flights from Paris Orly airport and a third of flights from Marseille as air traffic controllers went on strike again.

Paris Charles De Gaulle airport was not expected to be affected by the 36-hour walkout over job cuts and the lack of investment in new technology.

The Airlines for Europe lobby group said it was the 43rd strike by French air traffic controllers since 2009. It was due to end at 5am on Friday.

A strike last week disrupted travel plans for thousands of passengers as airlines were forced to cancel up to a third of flights.

Budget airline Ryanair said it was cancelling more than 90 flights because of the industrial action.