French pilots plan four-day strike

AIRLINE pilots in France are planning to disrupt the summer getaway with a four-day walkout at the beginning of August.

The biggest pilots' union, SNPL, has issued a formal strike notice from August 5-8 - typically one of the busiest weekends of the year for air travel.

They are protesting about changes to their pension regime, which is shared with that of cabin crew.

An argument over contributions and payouts between high and low earners has pitted those at the controls against those who look after passenger safety.

Both groups have threatened in the past to go on strike if the situation is not resolved in their favour.

Meanwhile, Easyjet cabin crew based in France are planning to strike for 48 hours from tomorrow, July 12.

The walkout by cabin crew union Unac comes as many people prepare to travel for the long bank holiday weekend.

Easyjet says Unac is in the minority and that other unions are not taking part. It is not expecting any major disruption to flights.