Air travel remained disrupted in France today, on the fourth and final day of a pilots’ strike over changes to the retirement age. Passengers were frustrated, but Air France said nearly eight out of ten long-haul flights were operating, and more than half of its medium-haul and domestic services were unaffected. Air France pilots are challenging government plans to raise their retirement age from 60 to 65.

And there was more disruption across the Alps in Italy, as Alitalia passengers found themselves grounded as well. The ailing carrier blamed unscheduled strikes for widespread cancellations, and said one in three flights would be affected this week. Alitalia is deep in debt and facing bankruptcy. Takeover talks continue, and unions say the cancellations are more to save money than because of their own industrial action.

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