Air France flights cancelled as strike takes hold
February 6, 2012
French airline pilots and other air transport workers began a four-day strike today in protest at a government bill they claim seriously limits their right to strike.
A spokesman for Air France Cargo told IFW several cargo flights had already been cancelled from Paris-CDG today at very short notice as pilots had not turned up for work, and further cancellations could not be ruled out.
He said only 30% of the airline’s cargo was now carried on freighters. “Around 70% is now shipped in bellyholds so disruption to passenger services could have a significant impact [on air freight] too.”
Under the terms of the proposed bill, every worker in the air transport sector would be obliged to make a personal declaration of participation in a strike 48 hours before it was due to start, thus allowing airlines to plan a minimum service.
Ahead of the strike, Air France had announced that it expected to operate over 85% of its long-haul flights and over 80% of medium-haul flights today.
The SNPL ALPA union, which has majority representation at Air France, told IFW that 50% of the group’s pilots were on strike today, and claimed around 50% of its mid-haul schedule had been cancelled.
However, the union said it did not have any information on the impact of the strike on Air France’s long-haul programme.
An Air France spokesperson told IFW the carrier was sticking to its initial traffic forecast, but admitted that the situation could change as the day progressed.
“Pilots turn up for duty at different times of the day, so it is difficult to know at any one time just how many of them will be supporting the strike. We will be issuing a an update later today, together with a traffic forecast for tomorrow.”
The cost of a strike to Air France could be close to €30 million a day if its flight programme was brought to a total halt, one business analyst has estimated.
Courtesy of IFW
