Air France to go ahead with 2016 job cuts

Air France to go ahead with 2016 job cuts

Air France will go ahead as planned and cut almost 1000 jobs in 2016 under the first part of a restructuring plan that triggered violent protests, the chief executive of Air France-KLM says.

The remaining cuts planned for 2017 can still be avoided if negotiations with unions are successful before the start of next year, Alexandre de Juniac said on Sunday in a joint interview with RTL radio, LCI television and the Le Figaro daily.

The struggling airline’s restructuring plan – unveiled on October 5 after pilots rejected a proposal to work longer hours – made headlines around the world earlier when executives were manhandled by furious workers.

Human resources manager Xavier Broseta had his shirt ripped off as he clambered over barriers to escape, helped by security guards, while another executive had his shirt and jacket torn in the scrum.

Air France plans to cut 2900 jobs over 2016 and 2017, and in the interview, De Juniac said that next year’s portion of the restructuring plan was already under way.

He remained evasive about the exact number of job cuts next year – which will involve voluntary departures – saying they would represent “less than a third of the total” of the planned 2,900 layoffs.

Asked whether this would represent nearly 1000 posts, he responded: “Less than that.”

“If negotiations are successful by the beginning of next year, we can avoid implementing 2017’s plan B.”

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]