Air France: Euro 2016 travel fears as pilots’ strike begins



Air France pilots began a four day strike on Saturday – the latest industrial action in the host country of Europe’s football championship that could disrupt travel plans for fans.

However the firm says that more than 80 percent of its flights are operating, with priority given to those cities where matches are taking place.


“To begin industrial action at the start of Euro 2016 is not nice,” said Air France Chief Executive Frederic Gagey.

“If there are things to discuss, let’s discuss them but not under pressure.”

The airline says the walkout over pay cuts will cost it some 5 million euros a day.

Unions also want guarantees about the long-term future of Air France, claiming it is threatened by the development of other parts of the Franco-Dutch group it forms with KLM.

“We would like more growth in the years ahead at Air France than at KLM,” said Veronique Damon, General Secretary of the SNPL union at Air France.


With passengers on the frontline of delays and cancellations, the patience of some with pilots is wearing thin.

“I think that when you are paid like they are – 6,000 euros at the start (of their career) and 18,000 at the end – they should not go on strike,” said Pierre, a passenger at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.

The pilots’ strike comes amid weeks of nationwide protests against plans to reform France’s labour laws, with industrial action that has seen refineries blocked, rail travel disrupted and rubbish piling up on the streets of Paris.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-06-12

Its not surprising France is in the financial position it is in. Strikes about everything - never think about the public. The unions in France have yoo much power and have a lot to answer for about the country's situation.

Its not surprising France is in the financial position it is in. Strikes about everything - never think about the public. The unions in France have yoo much power and have a lot to answer for about the country's situation.

Gee no likes on your profound statement? When did the public ever give a Rat's A about unions and labor? Unions can never have to much power. The following statement makes me laugh

“To begin industrial action at the start of Euro 2016 is not nice,” said Air France Chief Executive Frederic Gagey.

Gee workers play nice now play by the Marquessee of Queensberry rules. If you were dumb enough to the government would not hesitate to shaft you after soccer week is over. Unions are under attack world wide.

A strike in France...who would have thought.

Funny how the French union hack is all for giving the shaft to Dutch workers...must have forgot the words of the Internationale ?

Edited June 12, 201610 yr by OMGImInPattaya

Its not surprising France is in the financial position it is in. Strikes about everything - never think about the public. The unions in France have yoo much power and have a lot to answer for about the country's situation.

Gee no likes on your profound statement? When did the public ever give a Rat's A about unions and labor? Unions can never have to much power. The following statement makes me laugh

“To begin industrial action at the start of Euro 2016 is not nice,” said Air France Chief Executive Frederic Gagey.

Gee workers play nice now play by the Marquessee of Queensberry rules. If you were dumb enough to the government would not hesitate to shaft you after soccer week is over. Unions are under attack world wide.

not in australia!!......They've had far too much say and control over industrial bargaining since the 60's....