Ryanair was among airlines that announced widespread disruptions, saying in a statement it canceled more than 400 flights affecting 70,000 passengers. The company said the strike affects all its flights over French airspace, as well as traffic in and out of French airports, and urged the European Union to reform air traffic rules.

French air traffic controllers continued strike action for a second consecutive day, causing the cancellation of 40 percent of flights across all Paris airports on Friday and disrupting travel plans for holidaymakers at the height of Europe's travel season.

More than 1,500 flights have been cancelled on July 3-4, affecting nearly 300,000 passengers, due to a strike by French air traffic controllers, European industry lobby Airlines for Europe said in a statement.