Pension reform: Air France cancels one in ten flights on Tuesday, except for long-haul flights

Europe 1 with AFP 11:53 a.m., January 30, 2023, modified at 2:15 p.m., January 30, 2023

Air France will cancel one in ten short and medium-haul flights on Tuesday amid a social movement against pension reform, and long-haul routes will not be affected, the airline announced on Monday.

Responding to "the request of the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC) made to all airlines to reduce their flight schedule to and from Paris Orly by 20%, Air France plans to ensure for this day the all of its long-haul flights" and "90% of its short and medium-haul flights," the company told AFP.

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These figures are the same as on January 19, during the first day of the interprofessional strike against the pension reform.

The strike notice "was relayed by several unions representing air traffic controllers", explained the DGAC on Sunday, which, "in order to limit traffic disruption", asked the companies to "reduce their flight program by 20% for Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at Paris-Orly airport".

Commercial measures put in place

The other major airport in the Paris region, Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle, is not concerned, the DGAC having estimated that the staff available there was sufficient to be able to ensure the entire flight program.

Both Air France and the DGAC have however warned that disruptions and delays remain possible.

The administration invited “passengers who can do so to postpone their trip and to inquire with their airline to find out the status of their flight”.

Air France has promised that its customers "affected by canceled flights will be notified individually".

“Commercial measures that can be consulted on airfrance.fr allow anticipation or postponement free of charge and, for customers whose flight is canceled, a credit note or a full refund in the event that they no longer travel”, concluded the carrier.