Rabat – Royal Air Maroc has warned passengers traveling from France of possible flight disruptions on Thursday as a nationwide strike and mass protests sweep across the country.
In a statement posted on X, the Moroccan airline urged travelers departing from Paris Orly (ORY) and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to arrive at the airport at least four hours before their scheduled flight.
Passengers flying out of other French airports were also advised to make precautionary arrangements. The airline encouraged customers to check their flight status regularly and update their contact details on its website or mobile app.
The travel warning comes as more than 250 demonstrations are expected across France today, as unions from varying sectors protest against government austerity plans. Public transport has been heavily affected, schools have closed, and healthcare workers, including pharmacists, have shut down their businesses.
According to unions, about 800,000 people are expected to take to the streets. Demonstrators are calling for more investment in public services, higher taxes on the wealthy, and a reversal of the controversial pension reform.
The strikes follow the fall of former Prime Minister François Bayrou’s government earlier this month after his proposed €44 billion budget cuts triggered a no-confidence vote.
His successor, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, has so far failed to convince many French citizens that his policies are any different. Protesters say they are tired of rising poverty, high living costs, and worsening conditions in education and healthcare.
Scenes across the country show widespread anger. Union members stormed the Finance Ministry in Paris, students blocked dozens of high schools, and thousands of pharmacies closed their doors. Transport strikes disrupted the Paris Metro, while banks in the capital were barricaded ahead of protests.
Police clashed with protesters in several cities, and used tear gas to disperse crowds. Authorities said over 50 people were arrested this morning, while unions reported that up to 45% of secondary school staff were on strike.
