Air France shares went into a tailspin on the Paris stock exchange on Monday (May 7) after the strike-hit company's CEO resigned and the government seemed to worry about the carrier's very chances of survival. Staff and management at the carrier have been locked in a dispute over pay since February. (AFP/STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN) Air France-KLM boss Jean-Marc Janaillac announced his resignation on Friday after staff at the carrier's French operations rejected a pay deal aimed at ending months of walkouts. Air France stock closed 9.8 per cent lower at €7.30, having earlier traded as low as €6.93. Societe Generale analysts said the company's employees "have not only forced the group CEO to resign, but also made the investment case obsolete". Switching to a "sell" recommendation from a previous "buy", Societe Generale said the staff vote "not only puts the cost efficiency targets at risk in our view, but even the integrity of the group". Janaillac, who had been in the … [Read more...] about Air France shares nosedive after CEO resigns
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Air France warns of cancelled flights ahead of strike
Air France warned Friday that about 30 per cent of flights across France would be cancelled on Saturday (Apr 6) as pilots, cabin crews and ground staff pursued a fifth day of strikes aimed at securing higher pay. This file photo taken on Oct 5, 2015 shows the sign of Air France at the entrance of the company headquarters, in Roissy-en-France. (Photo: AFP/Kenzo Tribouillard) Unions say workers deserve to benefit from years of belt-tightening that have brought the carrier back to operating profitability, after seeing their wages effectively frozen since 2011. They have called daylong work stoppages since February in pursuit of a six per cent pay raise, and have already warned of more strikes to come, often coinciding with school holidays. The Air France industrial action coincides with rolling strikes by workers at the state rail operator SNCF, as well as protests by students, public servants, energy workers and rubbish collectors. Although the various protests have different … [Read more...] about Air France warns of cancelled flights ahead of strike
Air France unions announce new two day strike
Air France unions representing both flight crews and ground staff announced on Sunday (Apr 1) a new two-day strike for Apr 10 and 11, the latest move in its pay dispute with the French flag carrier since February. Pilots, cabin crew and ground staff joined the strike at Air France to push for a 6.0 per cent rise in salaries. (AFP/ERIC PIERMONT) The new dates are in addition to plans to strike on Tuesday and Saturday, in the same week that workers of the French rail operator SNCF also begin a series of strike days. The staff of Air France have already carried out a work stoppage on three dates, Feb 22 and Mar 23 and 30. In a statement on Sunday, the three pilot unions slammed the "obstinate refusal" of the airline's management "to take into consideration the least of their demands." The pilots have been joined by unions representing flight attendants and ground personnel, which later issued a joint statement saying Air France "does not take seriously the determination of … [Read more...] about Air France unions announce new two day strike
Air France staff strike, a quarter of flights cancelled
Air France staff went on strike on Friday (Mar 30) for the third time in a month, forcing the airline to cancel a quarter of flights as multiple industrial disputes weigh on President Emmanuel Macron's workload. The Air France strike is adding to the pressure on French President Emmanuel Macron AFP/KENZO TRIBOUILLARD Lawyers were also set to strike nationwide Friday against reforms that they say will over-centralise France's court system, while staff at state rail operator SNCF will begin three months of rolling strikes next week. Refuse collectors are also set to go on strike from Apr 3 demanding the creation of a national waste service, creating a headache for Macron who has so far avoided the mass industrial action suffered by his predecessor Francois Hollande. Some 32 per cent of Air France pilots were set to join the walkout on Friday along with 28 percent of cabin crew and 20 per cent of ground staff, according to company estimates. Eleven trade unions have already … [Read more...] about Air France staff strike, a quarter of flights cancelled
Air France launches new business-class cabin
By Binh Nguyen - The Saigon Times Daily HCMC - Air France has put to service a new-version Boeing 777-300ER equipped with one more business-class cabin and new in-flight products, including an entertainment system for its non-stop flights between Paris and HCMC. The latest version of the Boeing 777-300ER was configured with 42 Business seats, 24 Premium Voyageur seats and 317 Voyageur seats. The new Premium Voyageur is positioned between the business and economy classes. In addition to the in-flight entertainment system developed exclusively for Air France, the European carrier said there were new bar areas in each cabin of the Boeing 777-300ER that flies between the two cities thrice a week. “With the deployment of this new aircraft offering a further improved in-flight product, Air France aims to bolster its position in Vietnam,” Thierry Beragnes, country manager Vietnam at Air France KLM, said in a statement. “This is a further step forward in our development … [Read more...] about Air France launches new business-class cabin