Passengers flying in and out of East Midlands Airport face lengthy delays throughout this week - because of industrial action across the Channel.
A six-day strike by air traffic control in France began on Tuesday.
It has already led to lengthy delays, with queues of hundreds of people forming in front of check-in desks on Tuesday afternoon.
The situation is likely to be mirrored for the rest of the week.
Many flights heading south over France - including those to Alicante, Murcia and Malaga in Spain - were being boarded at expected times but having to wait an hour or so on the ground for clearance.
Meanwhile planes coming back in the opposite direction were also delayed.
Gareth Spurr, 34, who was going to Tenerife with his family, said he was "frustrated" about the delay of about an hour.
He said: "It is annoying, especially when you have kids because you have to keep them entertained.
"It is not the first time I have been delayed here by French air traffic control striking.
"You can't really blame the airlines as they have to make sure it is safe for take-off."
Steven Sutherland, 29, of West Bridgford, was also waiting for the afternoon flight to Tenerife.
He said: "This is frustrating. You have to get here early and then you are told there is a delay.
"I know there isn't much the airlines can do. I just wish they would sort the situation in France because it is affecting thousands of people."
Airport bosses say it is difficult to predict the severity of delays - or whether there will be any cancellations - as the strike action progresses.
The unions involved are opposed to plans for a re-organisation of air navigation in France.
A 62-year-old man, waiting for a flight to Murcia in Spain - also delayed for about an hour - said: "It happens a lot over there and it has the knock-on impact on any planes heading towards Spain. It is annoying."
A 33-year-old woman, heading to Tenerife with her seven-year-old son and five-year-old daughter, said: "It isn't easy especially when you have children to entertain. You have to stay patient but everyone just wants to get on their holiday."
A spokeswoman for the airport said they were trying to keep delays to a minimum, adding that passengers should check with their airlines before heading to the airport.
Have you been affected by the delays? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampost.com
