WASHINGTON (TVR) – Staff unions at a major global carrier and founding member of the worldwide SkyTeam alliance of airlines have launched a disruptive airline strike, impacting tens of thousands of passengers and forcing the cancellation of a significant number of flights.
Air France said the “industrial action” by the unions is “confirmed” for Monday, May 6 and Tuesday, May 7.
As a result, the carrier posted a notice on its website that at least 15% of its flight schedule — more than one out of every seven planned flights — will be cancelled.
Air France planned to operate 80% of its medium-haul flights to and from its main hub at Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG); 87% of short-haul, intra-France flights to and from Paris Orly Airport (ORY); and 99% of its long-haul, international fights.
In addition, the airline also cautioned that “last minute delays and cancellations can be expected.”
As part of the SkyTeam Alliance, Air France closely partners with U.S.-based Delta and Netherlands-based KLM, and therefore the strike could affect connecting flights of U.S.-based travelers.
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Air France committed to notifying passengers affected by the airline strike via text message or email “to confirm the potential impact on your journey,” as long as those contact details were listed in a traveler’s reservation.
“[W]e would like to assure you that our teams will do their utmost to assist you and minimize the impact of this industrial action on your travel plans,” the airline said in a statement.
Passengers who wish to avoid the strike and change their travel plans may do so at no cost, the airline promised.
Change fees are being waived for travel operated by Air France or its low-cost carrier Joon; tickets may be rescheduled until May. 27.
For those who wish to cancel the trip altogether, the airline said it will issue a voucher for the ticket value that can be redeemed for other itineraries for up to one year.
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This is the fourth major strike to hit an airline carrier recently.
On Feb. 22, another strike hit Air France. At the time, the carrier warned that fully half of its long-haul international flights would be cancelled.
Cabin crews at British Airways walked off the job in July and again later that same month.
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