French airports announced some delays and cancellations on the first day of a four-day strike by aviation workers Monday but flight disruptions were initially limited.

At Paris's Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports, officials said airlines had on Sunday preventively cancelled 126 of 1,190 flights scheduled for Monday.

An AFP reporter at Charles de Gaulle, a global aviation hub, said some flights had also been cancelled on the spot, including Air France flights to Geneva, Naples, Istanbul and Rio.

Budget airline easyJet had also cancelled five morning departures.

Aviation workers including pilots, flight attendants and ground staff voted on Friday to launch a nationwide strike between February 6 and 9.

The unions are protesting a draft law that will require aviation workers to individually give 48 hours notice before taking strike action, saying it limits labour rights.

The bill was approved by France's lower house last month and is being studied in the Senate.

Leading French carrier Air France insisted the effects of the strike would be limited, promising to run more than 80 percent of its short- and medium-haul flights and more than 85 percent of its long-haul flights.

The strike also appeared to be having little impact at other French airports.

Transport Minister Thierry Mariani said Monday the government would not drop its plans for the law, which he said was aimed at protecting "passengers' rights".

"We will go all the way. This is necessary and that is something the French people understand," he said on RTL radio.

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