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Hundreds of flights across Europe have been cancelled today as the French air traffic strike goes into its second day.

Thousands of travellers have been stranded due to the six-day industrial action, forced to sleep at airports or cancel their trips altogether, with some holidaymakers allegedly told they will not be able to return to Britain until next week.

While flights to and from France are the most affected, routes between the UK and Spain have also been hit, as planes have to cross French airspace to complete the route.

Walkout: The six-day strike has already grounded more than 50 easyJet and Ryanair flights on day one, with further chaos expected

After cancelling around 200 flights on Tuesday, Ryanair warned travellers that the situation is likely to worsen today, with 250 flights cancelled.

The budget airline slammed the industrial action by French workers and called on the European Commission to remove air traffic controllers' right to strike - as exists among police officers in the UK.

Accusing the strikers of 'blakmailing' ordinary consumers, Ryanair warned of 'severe disruption' as a result of the action.

A statement from the airline read: 'We expect that these delays will continue to build through the morning as the backlog of delayed flights rises. In order to minimise disruptions on the rest of our network Ryanair has been forced regrettably to cancel approximately 15 per cent of Ryanair's total schedule of over 1,600 flights today.

Knock-on effect: Passengers delayed at Stansted Airport as the French air traffic strike gets underway

'We expect these disruptions to flights to/from France, Belgium and Spain will worsen this morning as all airlines schedules are heavily disrupted by this unnecessary and regrettable French ATC strike.

'All customers affected by these cancellations will be offered a choice of reaccommodation on later flights or full refunds.'

EasyJet also confirmed that it has cancelled 150 flights today due to the strike as its planes are dependent on flying through French airspace.

Long wait: Extra security was drafted in at Stansted to help control the crowds gathering

Uncertainty: Chaos ruled at the airport as airlines waited on the latest news from France about whether flights could cross French airspace

A statement read: 'EasyJet can confirm that it will cancel 150 flights, of the 1,400 scheduled to operate today, due to the French air traffic control strike.

'As 65 per cent of easyJet's network travels through French air space we advise all passengers travelling today to be prepared for delays and to check the status of their flight on www.easyJet.com or via the easyJet flight tracker.

British Airways wiped out around 24 and has already axed another 28 flights tomorrow. Passengers with Monarch and Flybe are also badly affected.

Airlines unable to access congested airspace over France have done their best to fly around it, but flights are subject to long delays.

Thousands of passengers face delays and disruption at UK airports today as the backlog of delayed and disrupted flights grows, with Stansted drafting in extra security to control crowds.

Luton Airport reported delays to 60 per cent of departing flights while Heathrow said it had 44 cancellations. Gatwick said most services were held up because of knock-on effects.

Yesterday, one holiday maker at Stansted, Jane Goulding, 47, said: 'I have never seen the airport this busy before. I'm worried I'm going to be queuing here for hours.'

Eurocontrol, a European air safety organisation, estimated the action would cause almost 14,000 hours, of delays in total over the six days.

Disruption: Eurocontrol, a European air safety organisation, estimated the action would cause almost 14,000 hours, of delays

Delays: A spokesman for Stansted Airport said they were working with the airlines to make sure passengers had the latest information about their flights

Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: 'Check with your airline before travelling to find out if you'll be affected by the French air strike action.

'If you are affected, visit the Which? Consumer Rights website and find out your rights because if your flight is delayed due to a strike, the airline may have an obligation to offer you assistance.'

Air traffic controllers are just one of a host of sectors staging industrial action and crippling the tourism industry in France.

Travellers hoping to take alternative rail routes will face further delays thanks to a ten-day rail protest.

French retail workers are also set to strike in protest at the government's decision to introduce Sunday opening hours to boost tourism.

This will mean that famous Paris department stores including Galeries Lafayette and Printemps will be closed for those who do make it across the Channel.