Eagle757shark
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Four-day pilots strike could cost Air France €100 million
Friday November 14, 2008
The four-day strike called by French pilot unions to protest a potential change in the retirement age is expected to cause "severe disruption" to Air France's schedule beginning today and could cost the carrier up to €100 million, AF KLM Chairman and CEO Jean-Cyril Spinetta said.
The work stoppage, set to start Friday at 12:01 a.m. local time, will result in approximately half of AF's medium- and long-haul flights leaving Paris today being cancelled, with further cancellations to the long-haul program expected as the strike progresses. AF's normal daily schedule comprises 760 medium-haul flights from all airports and 73 long-haul flights from the capital. It said a flight schedule during the strike "is difficult to forecast as it will have to be adjusted each day." It said the impact on approximately 800 flights operated by Brit Air, CityJet, Regional, CCM and Airlinair "should not be as great".
In an open letter to pilots, Spinetta called the strike "unnecessary and dangerous" because the extension of the retirement age to 65 from 60 being discussed by French Parliament would be optional, allowing pilots to retire at 60 if they wished. He said EASA will increase retirement age to 65 in the coming months in line with an ICAO directive.
Spinetta said unions have asked AF to modify its labor agreement to maintain age 60, which would be illegal as age limits for retirement in France "may only be set by law." Those retiring at 60 will have access to current pension conditions and severance, he promised, adding that AF "is prepared to negotiate the measures accompanying this reform."
He also warned that the strike could impact the company beyond the four days. The loss of €100 million in revenue would hinder AF's "capacity to invest at a time when. . .banks are reticent about financing businesses," he claimed.
The airline is allowing passengers to postpone trips without penalty up to March 28 except for long-haul flights scheduled for Dec. 20-Jan. 4 and Feb. 14-March 1. Destinations can be changed with the value of the original ticket deducted from the new one, and refunds or vouchers will be offered if a flight is cancelled or delayed for more than 5 hr. Vouchers also will be offered for those who do not wish to travel during the strike.
by Cathy Buyck
Friday November 14, 2008
The four-day strike called by French pilot unions to protest a potential change in the retirement age is expected to cause "severe disruption" to Air France's schedule beginning today and could cost the carrier up to €100 million, AF KLM Chairman and CEO Jean-Cyril Spinetta said.
The work stoppage, set to start Friday at 12:01 a.m. local time, will result in approximately half of AF's medium- and long-haul flights leaving Paris today being cancelled, with further cancellations to the long-haul program expected as the strike progresses. AF's normal daily schedule comprises 760 medium-haul flights from all airports and 73 long-haul flights from the capital. It said a flight schedule during the strike "is difficult to forecast as it will have to be adjusted each day." It said the impact on approximately 800 flights operated by Brit Air, CityJet, Regional, CCM and Airlinair "should not be as great".
In an open letter to pilots, Spinetta called the strike "unnecessary and dangerous" because the extension of the retirement age to 65 from 60 being discussed by French Parliament would be optional, allowing pilots to retire at 60 if they wished. He said EASA will increase retirement age to 65 in the coming months in line with an ICAO directive.
Spinetta said unions have asked AF to modify its labor agreement to maintain age 60, which would be illegal as age limits for retirement in France "may only be set by law." Those retiring at 60 will have access to current pension conditions and severance, he promised, adding that AF "is prepared to negotiate the measures accompanying this reform."
He also warned that the strike could impact the company beyond the four days. The loss of €100 million in revenue would hinder AF's "capacity to invest at a time when. . .banks are reticent about financing businesses," he claimed.
The airline is allowing passengers to postpone trips without penalty up to March 28 except for long-haul flights scheduled for Dec. 20-Jan. 4 and Feb. 14-March 1. Destinations can be changed with the value of the original ticket deducted from the new one, and refunds or vouchers will be offered if a flight is cancelled or delayed for more than 5 hr. Vouchers also will be offered for those who do not wish to travel during the strike.
by Cathy Buyck