Air France flight attendants strike

Air France regrets the disruption of flight operations caused by a flight attendants strike on the eve of major holiday departures.

The company apologizes to its customers and regrets finding itself held hostage under these conditions.

Since last July, Air France management has negotiated continuously with the unions representing flight attendants.

During these discussions, Air France management has made commitments regarding the employment of cabin crew and crew composition and has responded positively to the unions’ requests. The responses were accepted by the leading union organization, which decided to withdraw its strike notification.

Other union organizations chose to maintain their strike notifications, mainly because of a fear of job losses, despite the assurances that the company has provided even in the face of the difficult and uncertain economic conditions.

The company therefore does not understand the reasons for the strike: crew composition on long-haul flights has been maintained until October 2012, Air France began recruiting cabin crew again in 2011 and we can foresee additional hiring based on our business projections for next year. All of this formally contradicts any type of social plan.

Air France is currently experiencing one of the most difficult periods in its history, at a time of continuing difficult and uncertain economic conditions. Since 2008, despite the financial crisis and reduced level of business activity, Air France has protected and maintained cabin crew employment. This very protective social contract is part of the company’s identity and has at no time been called into question.

With a few hours before the start of the strike, and with very high reservation levels on the company’s planes, Air France calls on the sense of responsibility of each of the company’s individual flight attendants to perform their mission during the strike in order that our customers are not penalized and to preserve their company and their job.