Orly worst-hit by air traffic strike

AIR passengers are facing delays at Orly airport in Paris today ahead of a nationwide air traffic controllers' strike that starts tomorrow.

Ground-handlers called a sudden strike at the weekend over working conditions. Flight departures and arrivals at the south and west terminals are delayed, with Corsairfly, Iberia, Air Algérie and Air Berlin among the operators that have been hit the hardest.

Five unions representing air traffic controllers have confirmed their planned nationwide strike from February 23 to 27 - hitting half-term holiday travel. They are protesting against job cuts which they say will put passengers' safety at risk.

50% of Orly flights are cancelled tomorrow, and 25% at Charles de Gaulle.

Meanwhile, travellers were hit last night by another Eurostar breakdown. A train with 740 passengers on board lost power coming out of the Channel Tunnel, near Ashford. A rescue train arrived after an hour to take passengers to London.

Earlier this month a damning report into the Christmas breakdowns condemned Eurostar's customer service procedures. The company has pledged to spend £30m on improving its trains.