New strike threat to summer flights

Pilots' walkout will be preceded by a separate strike by Air France cabin crew on busiest weekend of the year

AIR France cabin crew have voted to go on strike for four days later this month, over the busiest weekend of the year for air travel.

Seven unions have agreed to take part in the walkout from July 29 to August 1, when families typically head home from their July break and those who choose to holiday in August will be setting off.

The stewards are protesting about the introduction of Air France's new budget routes, which were approved by pilots in return for a pay rise but have not been agreed by cabin crew.

The disruption will be followed a few days later by a separate strike by pilots. The biggest pilots' union in France, SNPL, has issued a formal strike notice for the following weekend, from August 5-8, over changes to their pension regime.

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