Air travellers across the region are facing chaos as air traffic controllers across Europe went on strike today.

The are objecting to an EU plan to put the continent's air space under international controls.

Thousands of passengers had their travel plans disrupted as controllers in France, Italy, Portugal, Greece and Hungary walked out. Many flights out of Newcastle have been cancelled.

Busy airports are empty as passengers listened to warnings to stay away. Many travellers are looking for alternative forms of transport.

A general strike in Greece on Tuesday and another one planned in Spain for Thursday have further complicated the situation for travellers. The air traffic controllers' union in France has warned there could be further strikes on the way if the EU does not rethink its proposals.

Many countries are being badly hit, including France, with only 10 per cent of short and medium-haul Air France services operating. British Airways is running only four services out of 126 to France. Charles de Gaulle airport handling only 264 flights out of normal 2,000. At Orly airport, 77 out of 660 flights operating.

In Italy 50 Alitalia flights have been cancelled. In Germany more than 10 per cent of Lufthansa flights to France cancelled, but long-haul services and domestic flights should remain unaffected. Frankfurt airport, Europe's second-busiest, cancelled 64 flights, mainly to and from the strike-hit countries.

In Spain 60 Iberia flights to or from France have been cancelled, along with 57 domestic flights.

In Greece, 50 domestic flights and four international services cancelled.

Long-haul flights through European airspace are likely to be less affected.

And the strikes are due to end early enough on Wednesday to prevent any significant disruption to flights on Thursday.

Read more about the local flight times at Newcastle Airport's website here here.