PARIS, Nov 16, 2008 (AFP) - Air France passengers faced cancellations and delays for a third day on Sunday after French pilots voted to press on with a strike that has severely hit the national carrier.

Air France management said the situation was broadly the same as Saturday with around 30 to 35 per cent of long-haul flights and half of all other flights cancelled.

Early Sunday there had been no last-minute cancellations, a spokesman said.

The strike, which began Friday and is due to end at midnight (2300 GMT) Monday, is over a planned reform of the pensions system.

The pilots are opposed to new rules that would come into effect in 2010 that would end the current requirement for them to retire at 60, forcing them to work until the age of 65.

They argue that the changes would put passenger safety at risk and damage prospects for young pilots.

Late Friday the government modified its proposals to allow retirement at 60 if so wished, which some union leaders thought the concession would be enough to have the strike called off.

But on Saturday two thirds of the SNPL union's council voted to continue their action as planned.

Video: French pilot strike hits travellers