A strike by Air France pilots has threatened to spread to cabin staff amid conflicting messages over efforts to resolve the damaging dispute.
Other unions warned that they would join the action unless the airline completely abandoned plans to create a Europe-wide, low-cost subsidiary under the Transavia name.
The airline said in a statement that it proposed the immediate withdrawal of the Transavia Europe project in order to end the conflict quickly, Reuters reported.
“This proposition addresses the concerns of the social partners and brings a new guarantee that there will be no delocalisation [of jobs],” the statement said.
Air France had previously said it would only postpone the Transavia Europe plans but intended to press ahead with developing the low-cost carrier in France.
The strike entered its 11th day today (Thursday) with Air France saying that it expects to operate only 47% of flights – a similar level as yesterday – as a result of 62% of pilots being on strike.
Pilots fear that plans to shift part of Transavia operations to cheaper European hubs would erode their pay and conditions. Unions had threatened to prolong the walkout indefinitely if management pressed ahead with the strategy.
The industrial action is costing Air France up to €20 million a day and has come under political pressure within France to make concessions.