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Paris airports downplay early impact of strike

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The Associated Press 11:51 AM Monday, February 6, 2012

PARIS — Air France and other airlines have so far limited the damage on Monday from a strike by aviation industry workers by canceling or rescheduling at least 100 flights in advance, Paris aviation officials said.

The strike led by labor unions representing pilots, cabin and ground crews and others didn't draw a large walkout, according to early signs, the Paris airports authority ADP said.

As many as 200 flag-waving protesters marched from terminal to terminal at Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport — under watch from nearly as many riot police.

French flag carrier Air France said about one in five scheduled flights, or slightly over 100, had been cancelled shortly after midday. Most involved medium-haul flights to European destinations; only 4 were long-haul flights.

Unions called the strike through to Thursday to protest a bill in Parliament that would require air transport workers to give 48 hours notice before striking.

Some airlines were caught off-guard by workers who didn't pre-announce that they'd be on strike: ADP said low-cost carrier easyJet was forced into canceling five flights Monday after employees didn't show.

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February 06, 2012 04:47 PM EST

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