France Braces for Pre-Olympic Airport Turmoil Over Labor Dispute

  • Air traffic controllers are protesting work-rule changes
  • Flight disruptions seen in Paris Thursday despite union deal

Passengers in the departures hall at Paris-Orly Airport in Paris.

Photographer: Nathan Laine/Bloomberg

French aviation authorities warned of major travel disruptions as air-traffic controllers launch a protest campaign against work-rule changes ahead of the Summer Games in Paris.

Airlines have been asked to reduce their flight schedules by 75% at Paris Orly airport on Thursday, by 55% at Charles-De Gaulle, 65% at Marseille and 45% at all other metropolitan airports, aviation authority DGAC said in a statement.