PARIS, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- The French government has restored oil supplies for Paris airports that were threatened by refinery strikes, Transport Minister Dominique Bussereau said Sunday.
The pipeline serving Charles de Gaulle/Roissy and Orly airports was back running Sunday, Radio France Internationale reported. Roissy managers had said they did not have enough fuel to last beyond Monday, but that threat is now lifted.
Aviation authorities are asking planes to refuel abroad, however, because of lower pressure in the pipeline.
Unions denounced the pipeline's reopening, saying planes may get dangerous, untested fuel.
With all 12 of France's oil refineries on strike and 10 closed, officials are trying to counter panic buying at gas stations. Bussereau said hundreds of stations are running dry after a 50 percent jump in sales last week.
Paris, regional and national rail transit is expected to be disrupted Sunday and Monday by continuing walkouts leading to Tuesday's one-day general strike over the government's pension policies.
