Violent protests in Paris against Uber taxi

Mass strikes across France exploded into violence today as Paris taxi drivers brought roads to a standstill in a protest against the threat posed by Uber and other online competitors.

There was fighting on the ring road of the French capital as masked men and women stopped cars and other vehicles in the morning rush hour.

By midday there were 20 arrests, mainly for public order offences. Most were in the Porte Maillot area of the city. 

'We are here to protest against worsening conditions in our industry,' said one protestor, as he set fire to a tyre.

Soon, flames and thick black smoke could be seen all over the road, as terrified drivers tried to steer away. 

Standard taxis are furious about the threat being posed by online competition, and especially the US-based Uber service.

Police warned drivers to stay off the roads, as 'go slows' by taxis were also used to block major thoroughfares.

Riot police were used to try and clear the blockages, with baton charges and tear gas used to keep demonstrators back.

A taxi driver was seriously injured at Orly airport, south of the capital, as a shuttle bus tried to force its way through a blockade. 

He was later arrested for endangering life. A Paris police spokesman said the other 19 arrests for 'public order offences around the ring road in Porte Maillot'. 

In turn, other drivers threw stones at the bus's windows and forced passengers to get off the bus. 

British travellers were warned about severe delays as air traffic controllers and civil servants also went on strike. Air traffic controllers meanwhile went on strike in protest over pay and recruitment.

The French civil aviation authority DGAC called on airlines to cancel one in five flights, while Air France said it would cancel 20 percent of its short- and medium-haul flights in France and elsewhere in Europe.

A spokesman for Air France added that 'last minute cancellations' could not be ruled out.

EasyJet said it had cancelled 35 flights, mainly within France but also to or from Switzerland, Italy and Spain.

Hundreds of thousands of civil servants and teachers were on strike, motivated by anger over a pay freeze and a poor salaries.