Ryanair customers have been told they can rebook or get a refund

Around 80 Ryanair flights between France and the UK and Ireland have been grounded while Easyjet lists 47 cancellations on its website.

The companies' customers have been told they can rebook or get a full refund.

No British Airways or BMI flights have been cancelled, but the airlines are advising passengers to check before setting off for the airport.

French civil aviation authorities are reporting delays and some internal flights are cancelled but the disruption initially appears less than that caused by a similar action last week.

The dispute between the government and unions over continuing opposition to a controversial new youth labour law is also affecting the railways and the Paris metro.

'Not acceptable'

The affected Ryanair flights included services between Stansted and Carcassonne, Montpellier, Perpignan and Biarritz; Luton flights to Nimes and Brest and Prestwick-Paris planes.

The company was also among the firms which had to cancel flights last week.

British Airways said on its website that details of the planned action and its potential impact on flights was unknown.

"We are currently planning to operate according to schedule, however, this is subject to change," it added.

Meanwhile the chairman and chief executive of Yorkshire-based budget carrier Jet2.com has come under fire from British Euro MPs after describing the French as "lazy frogs".

His comments were made after a plane bound for Leeds Bradford airport was delayed when French students staged a runway demonstration at Chambery airport in the Alps.