PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Because of the announced large-scale strike against the planned pension reform in France, there is a risk of cancellations and delays at Paris' Orly Airport on Thursday. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said Tuesday it had asked airlines to cancel one of five flights at Orly on the day of the strike.

Despite this precautionary measure, disruptions and delays are to be expected, it said. Travelers should postpone their flights if possible. There are also likely to be restrictions on French train services due to strikes on Thursday.

The centrist government under President Emmanuel Macron had announced a week ago that it would gradually raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. The number of years needed to pay into a full pension is to rise faster than previously planned. Several individual pension systems with privileges for some occupational groups are to be abolished. The government, on the other hand, wants to raise the minimum pension to around 1,200 euros a month.

Currently, the retirement age in France is 62. Those who have not paid in enough at that age to be entitled to a full pension can work longer in some cases. At the age of 67, people are entitled to a full pension regardless of how long they have paid into the scheme - the government wants to retain this. It justifies its action by saying that the pension system is no longer financially viable in the long term./rbo/DP/men