14th strike amid warnings over Air France future
Airline says 85% of its services will operate on Monday as staff walk out in ongoing pay dispute despite concerns over future viability of airline
Air France guaranteed 85% of its services would operate on Monday, the 14th day of an ongoing pay dispute, amid warnings the strike has put the company's future in doubt.
The airline said 99% of its long-haul flights would operate out of Charles de Gaulle, along with 80% of medium-haul flights from the same airport. Meanwhile, 87% of short-haul services in and out of Paris-Orly would also take off - though Air France warned of possible delays and disruption.
Another walkout is expected on Tuesday, after unions meet to discuss possible future action as they press for a 6% salary increase. Unions say their members should share in the airline's improved earnings after a wage freeze imposed since 2011.
The strike, which has cost already chief executive Jean-Marc Janaillac his job. He resigned on Friday after workers voted to reject a deal of an immediate 2% pay rise, increasing to 5% between 2019 and 2021, which was made directly to them as part of a staff consultation. A total 55% of those who voted rejected the offer.
The walkouts have cost Air France more than €300million.
Meanwhile, France's Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire warned on Sunday that "the survival of Air France is in the balance", and said that the State, which owns 14.3% of the group, would not write off the company's debts..
"I call on everyone to be responsible: crew, ground staff, and pilots who are asking for unjustified pay hikes," Mr Le Maire told the BFM news channel.
"Air France will disappear if it does not make the necessary efforts to be competitive."
