Aer Lingus and Ryanair passengers experienced widespread delays today with an air traffic control strike in France impacting on flights to internal airports and to those travelling through its airspace.

The industrial action is part of a broader public transport dispute in the country and is expected to carry on until 6am tomorrow.

Ryanair cancelled about 30 of its European flights but none of these were from or destined for Irish airports.

However, a spokesperson said there were considerable delays as many flights leaving Ireland, including those to Spain and Italy, are reliant on French airspace which reaches as far south as Tunisia.

Customers were asked to monitor the airline’s website for updates and to arrive early for flights.

Any cancellations will be notified to passengers via text and email.

Aer Lingus reported flights to Barcelona, Bordeaux, Majorca, Marseille and Lyon had all experienced various delays today and one flight to Nice had been cancelled.

Passengers on that flight were offered alternative destinations of Paris or Perpignan or, alternatively, to rebook to Nice for a later date.

Other flights dependent on French airspace were rerouted.

A spokeswoman said passengers were advised to arrive as usual for flights and to be aware of potential delays as the situation develops.

Eurocontrol, which manages air traffic in Europe, warned of extensive delays across France, especially in the south and west of the country.