Air France – KLM CEO Jean-Marc Janaillac has resigned as the airline faces another round of flight-disrupting strikes this week.
According to the Washington Post, Janaillac resigned Friday evening after workers rejected the company’s latest wage proposal. On Sunday French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire warned that the government would not rescue the airline, and advised striking pilots, crew and ground staff to be “responsible,” saying that “the survival of Air France is at stake.” (The government of France owns a 14 percent stake in Air France – KLM).
Bloomberg reports that the airline group’s stock has dropped as much as 14 percent as of Monday, the biggest decline since 2002.
Meanwhile the strikes, which have been continuing sporadically since February, are set to continue May 7 and 8. In its latest update Air France said that on May 8 it expects to operate 80 percent of its flight schedule, including 95 percent of its long-haul flights, 75 percent of its medium-haul flights to and from Paris – Charles de Gaulle, and 82 percent of its short-haul flights to and from Paris – Orly and the French provinces. As in previous weeks, the strikes affect flights operated by Air France and Joon, and not other airlines such as Hop!, KLM and Delta.
Air France is allowing customers scheduled to fly on Air France or Joon May 7 or 8 to postpone their trip through May 27. Customers who wish to postpone their trip after that date, change their destination or departure city or cancel their trip will receive a nonrefundable voucher that will be valid for one year on Air France, Joon, KLM or Hop! flights.
Delta is also allowing customers scheduled to fly through May 9 to rebook through May 27, with the new ticket to be issued on or before May 15.
Strikes are also continuing to disrupt rail travel this week. National carrier SNCF reports that traffic will be disrupted May 8 and 7. Information on the next day’s schedule will be posted at 5 p.m. local time on the SNCF app, website and other channels.
Related Stories
HTA: Volcanic Activity Has Little Impact on Hawaii's Tourism Areas
Air Travel: Alaska Migrates Virgin America Into Sabre, New Caribbean Flig
SAA Vacations Offers Special Package Celebrating Nelson Mandela