Dozens of flights canceled

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PARIS, France (CNN) -- A general strike in France on Tuesday is causing major disruption for commuters, and for people flying to and from the country.

Public transport was disrupted in 76 cities and towns, LCI television reported.

About seven in 10 subway trains were running in Paris, but commuter trains were as few as one in two.

One flight in three was canceled at airports nationwide, according to the national civil aviation authority.

Air France said there had been minimal disruption to flights.

Dublin-based low-fare carrier Ryanair said it had been forced to cancel more than 70 flights, including services out of London's Stansted airport to Grenoble, Perpignan, Montpellier, Nantes and Bergerac.

Ryanair has also had to cancel some flights between Liverpool and Carcassonne and between Luton and Nimes and Brest.

The no-frills carrier said customers booked on any of the flights cancelled could re-book free of charge for travel up to April 7 and also for travel from April 24-30.

EasyJet has cancelled 44 flights according to their Web site.

Some 30 flights were cancelled at Lyon airport in the south, where trains were also delayed, according to Reuters.

Public transport was also disrupted in the southern cities of Marseille and Bordeaux.

However, many trains were still running, including on the Eurostar line to Brussels and London, but some commuters were becoming frustrated.

"Why do you have to make all French suffer," French traveller Patricia told Reuters at Charles de Gaulle airport, where several flights were cancelled.

"Fine that you're against the CPE. But why block the whole country, rather than talk?"

Amir A. Daftari contributed to this report