Pilots at flag-carrier Air France have walked out at
the start of a week-long strike.The carrier will be running less than half of
its flights during the coming days, as pilots protest against a transfer of
jobs by the airline to a low-cost carrier (Transavia). Air France is urging passengers
around the world to change or postpone travel.
The CEO - Frederic Gagey told France Inter radio that
the strike would cost the airline £10 million a day. The airline said it would
consider negotiation on benefits based on seniority for Air France pilots who
agree to work for Transavia. However, it said it would not agree to trade union
demands that the contracts of Transavia pilots carry the same terms as those
flying under Air France.
The changes at Air France are part of Perform 2020, a
long-term strategy designed to improve efficiency at the airline.
A key part of the plan is the accelerated development
of Air France-KLM in the European leisure market, under the Transavia brand,
based on the two existing companies - Transavia France and Transavia
Netherlands – and new bases to be created in other European countries.
By 2017, Transavia will rank among the leading low
cost carriers in Europe, operating a fleet of 100 aircraft and carrying more
than 20 million passengers.
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