Source: AFP Author: 11/16/2008
Subject Concerned: Aircrew Airlines Human Resource Flight Delay
Air France passengers faced cancellations and delays for a third day on Nov. 16 after French pilots voted to press on with a strike that has severely hit the national carrier.
Air France management said the situation was broadly the same as Nov. 15 with around 30 to 35 percent of long-haul flights and half of all other flights cancelled.
Early on Nov. 16, there had been no last-minute cancellations, a spokesman said.
The strike, which began on Nov. 14 and is due to end at midnight (23:00GMT) on Nov. 17, is over a planned reform of the pensions system.
The pilots are opposed to new rules that would come into effect in 2010 that would end the current requirement for them to retire at 60, forcing them to work until the age of 65.
They argue that the changes would put passenger safety at risk and damage prospects for young pilots.
Late on Nov. 14, the government modified its proposals to allow retirement at 60 if so wished, which some union leaders thought the concession would be enough to have the strike called off.
But on Nov. 15 two thirds of the SNPL union's council voted to continue their action as planned.