BA grounds flights as French controllers prepare to strike

British Airways has cancelled a number of services because of planned strike action by French air traffic controllers.

A total of 62 flights to and from Gatwick and Heathrow will be grounded just before and during the 32-hour strike, which begins at 8pm on Monday.

A further 12 return services operated by BA's CitiExpress from UK regional airports have also been cancelled.

A BA spokesman warns that although 19 flights from Heathrow remain unaffected they could also face delays due to the possibility of re-routing.

A full list of the flights cancelled can be found at www.ba.com.

The cancellations come as French truckers' prepare to set up road blockades from 10pm in a dispute over pay and conditions.

Ports are bound to be targeted by the action - hitting cross-Channel ferry passengers and UK hauliers.

"We are particularly concerned about the prospects of a blockade of the port of Calais," said Geoff Dossetter of the UK's Freight Transport Association.

"Some 5,000 lorries cross from Europe to the UK each day, with a similar number going in the opposite direction.

"If the action results in a blockade or hold-ups in Calais then there is likely to be a knock-on effect in the UK with lorries delayed at Dover and on the M20."