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Air France slashes planned job cuts

The number of planned job cuts at Air France has been cut back by two thirds in the wake of angry protests by some workers.


Fewer than 1,000 jobs will now go, compared to the 2,900 originally planned, according to latest reports.


Air France-KLM chief executive Alexandre de Juniac said the job cuts next year would now be voluntary.


Heavier job losses in 2017 may still be avoided if unions agree to other cost-cutting measures, he added.


After failing to convince pilots to work longer hours for the same pay, earlier this month the company announced a ‘plan B’ of job cuts and eliminating some routes.


The plan led to scuffles during which two senior managers has their shirts torn off.


The need to finalise flight schedules months in advance meant that Air France had to go ahead with the cutbacks for 2016, the chief executive said.


However, de Juniac said those cuts would affect fewer than 1,000 jobs.


“The ‘Plan B’ takes place over two years, 2016 and 2017. For 2016 it is under way,” he said. “If negotiations are successful by the start of 2016, we can avoid implementing ‘Plan B’ for 2017.”


Air France will discuss the 2016 cuts with union officials at a meeting of its works council on Thursday, the BBC reported.


De Juniac said that efficiency measures had put Air France on course to make a profit this year, but he declined to give a forecast.


The airline had higher costs than some rivals and was under pressure from budget operators in Europe, as well as Gulf carriers on long-haul routes.


Five Air France employees – thought to be members of the CGT union – were arrested last Monday following the violent protests at Air France headquarters in Roissy.


They are due to appear in court on December 2.

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