Air France gears up for pilots strike next week
Air France is preparing for a strike by its pilots next week even though talks with union officials are still taking place.
The airline said although negotiations are not finished, it will allow passengers due to fly on September 15 to 22 to postpone their trip or exchange their tickets free of charge.
The SNPL union, which represents a majority of Air France pilots, has called on its members to join the strike as part of a dispute with the company over its strategy to compete against low-cost airlines in Europe.
Air France-KLM said this week it would be investing heavily in its low-cost airline, Transavia, over the next few years.
The union wants Transavia France pilots to have the same pay and working conditions as those at its main business and fears some of the Air France shorter routes will be cut altogether as a result of the new focus.
The union claimed next week’s strike could cost the airline €40m a day.
"Air France is continuing its constant dialogue with the staff unions and discussions will continue over the next few days in order to reach an agreement," said Air France in a statement.
It said Ԭsales teams will inform customers of any changes to their flight schedule.
Passengers can change their ticket and travel before 15 September 2014 or postpone their trip until between 23 and 30 September 2014, at no extra charge, subject to availability.
Or, they can receive a voucher valid for one year on Air France or KLM for travel after 30 September 2014.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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