Air France cancels flights as pilots strike

xinsrc_282110515112604606173 French airline’s services are severely disrupted after pilots begin four-day walk out in a row over retirement age. Passengers are facing severe delays today after Air France announced the cancellation of around half of all its medium-haul and long-haul flights following the start of strike action.

Around a fifth of services at partner airlines Brit Air, CMM, CityJet and Airlinair will be out of operation. Pilots began a four-day walk out late last night in protest at proposals to raise the age of retirement age for French pilots from 60 to 65 years.

The move is likely to cost the carrier around £85 million, according to the airline, while further cancellations are possible. “Air France is expecting very significant disruptions to its activities and apologises to all passengers for this situation, which it strongly deplores,” said Jean-Cyril Spinetta, chief executive of Air France-KLM. He added that the pilots’ strike was both “useless” and “dangerous”.

Hundred of flights will be cut this weekend before the strike ends on Monday night. Air France’s daily schedule features 760 medium-haul flights from all airports and 73 long-haul services from Paris. The airline has guaranteed compensation to any customers affected by the disruption.

Passengers should contact Air France or visit www.airfrance.com for the latest flight information

source: www.telegraph.co.uk

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