Large-scale demonstrations are set to occur throughout France on 9 January 2020 as part of ongoing strikes over pension reforms. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators have participated in such previous actions, but turnout is expected to be lower for the upcoming demonstrations, as the number of workers who continue to participate in the strikes has dropped. In Paris, protesters plan to march from the Place de la République to the Church of St. Augustine beginning at approximately 1330 local time (1230 UTC). Authorities are expected to increase security measures in the city due to an increased risk of violence from protesters; these precautionary measures comprise closing down shops along protest routes, conducting precautionary checks on people and increasing police officer presence along protest routes. Travelers in France should avoid all areas where large gatherings are taking place due to the probability of violence during the ongoing protests.
Additionally, air traffic controllers plan to observe a strike across the country from 1900 local time (1800 UTC) on 8 January to 0630 local time on 10 January. The strike is expected to have a significant impact on Toulouse–Blagnac Airport (LFBO/TLS), as aircraft operators have been asked to reduce services by 33% from 0600-2400 local time on 9 January. While there have been no other notable flight cancellations due to the strike, travelers should contact their respective airlines to check the status of their flights.
