Paris flights cut by 20 percent as air traffic controllers strike

FRANKFURT/PARIS (Reuters) - Travelers faced a day of disruption on Thursday as air traffic controllers in France and across Europe went on strike over cost cuts and pan-European safety rules. France's DGAC authority asked airlines operating services to and from the three Paris-region airports - Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Beauvais - to reduce flights by about 20 percent because of the strike, which runs until 0500 GMT on Friday. The French strike is part of a day of action called by the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) to protest against safety and savings targets planned by the European Commission. Slovakian and Italian air traffic controllers are also striking for short periods during the day, while their colleagues in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Portugal, Bulgaria and Greece will take measures such as performing only basic contracted duties.

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