A YOUNG naval recruit from Glasgow had his travel plans wrecked after being caught up in the French air traffic controller strikes.

Thomas Clark, 18, and his girlfriend waited hours at Glasgow Airport for their flight to Malaga, Spain, on Wednesday only to be told it was cancelled.

Now the Navy officer, who is currently based at a training facility in Plymouth, which is part of HMS Raleigh, fears he has missed out on a holiday to the sun altogether.

He booked the flights with easyJet and the accommodation separately. The airline was yesterday struggling to get the couple on another flight due to the strikes.

The holidaymaker is just one of hundreds of Scots to be hit with travel misery during the industrial action over the last two days.

The SNCTA union, France's largest, called the strike in a dispute over working conditions.

The controllers are due to stage another stoppage next week and another one at the end of this month.

Thomas, who arrived at the airport for his 4.55pm flight at 2pm, complained about the way he was treated by airline staff.

The couple were told at 8pm that the flight was cancelled.

He said: "We don't even know if we'll get a refund.

"Everything was so chaotic and we were just left waiting and waiting.

"No one seemed to tell us what was going on. Easyjet couldn't say if we would get a refund.

"The staff just dumped all our luggage in a pile when they found out the plane couldn't go. Baggage handlers just stood watching.

"It was a horrible experience."

An easyJet spokeswoman said 272 flights, including 78 to and from the UK, were cancelled yesterday.

She added: "easyJet is disappointed at this unnecessary strike action which has caused considerable and disproportionate disruption for passengers and airlines across Europe.

"easyJet can assure its passengers it is doing everything possible to limit the inconvenience of this strike on them. We are advising all affected passengers of any flight changes via e-mail and SMS. Customers can also check flight information on our Flight Tracker page on our website.

"For all passengers due to fly with us on these days, we strongly recommend that they check the status of their flight on our Flight Tracker page at www.easyjet.com/en/flight-tracker for real time information before going to the airport.

"Although this is outside of our control, easyJet would like to apologise to its customers for any inconvenience caused."