In a separate action to the EasyJet dispute, five unions representing 36,000 pilots and cabin crew (UNSA PNC, SNPNC, SNGAF, SNPL and UNAC) jointly filed a strike notice on 23 September for 17-21 October—the opening days of the Toussaint half-term holidays. The protest targets forthcoming pension-income caps that unions say penalise aviation personnel forced to retire earlier than ground workers. If maintained, the stoppage could affect Air France, Transavia, and multiple foreign carriers with French-based crews, threatening thousands of flights during a peak leisure period. Because French labour law requires only 48 hours’ confirmation, airlines may not finalise contingency timetables until mid-October, complicating corporate meeting planning. Companies should flag the dates to travellers and consider rail or virtual alternatives. The notice underscores simmering resentment over President Macron’s 2025 pension overhaul, which already sparked nationwide transport strikes earlier this year. Industry analysts warn that overlapping actions—pilots on 1-2 October and mixed crews mid-October—could dent France’s reputation for reliability ahead of winter conference season. Government mediators have invited unions to talks next week, but negotiators caution that legal amendments would be required to exempt flight crews from the new caps.
Source: The Connexion
