Another series of strikes is set to disrupt flights in France this week. Beyond that, unions on national rail operator SNCF are planning three months of walkouts that could cause a number of rail travel disruptions as well.
According to the latest statement by Air France, several unions representing staff for the airlines have called for strikes on Tuesday, April 3, and Saturday, April 7. The strikes will affect flights operated by Air France and Joon, but not other airlines, such as Hop!, KLM and Delta.
On April 3, Air France said that it expects to operate 75 percent of its flight schedule. That includes 70 percent of its long-haul flights, 67 percent of its medium-haul flights to and from Paris – Charles de Gaulle, and 85 percent of its short-haul flights to and from Paris – Orly and the French provinces. Last-minute delays and cancellations can still occur, the airline warned.
As of yet, it is too early to tell the outcome of the April 7 strike on the airline’s flight schedule, Air France said.
Air France is offering customers affected by the strike the chance to rebook at no extra cost, regardless of the fare. Travelers with tickets on an Air France or Joon flight scheduled for April 3 can rebook for April 4 through April 8. Travelers can also postpone their trip until after April 8, change their country of origin or destination or cancel their trip, in which case they will receive a nonrefundable voucher that will be valid for one year and can be used on Air France, KLM or Hop! flights. Customers scheduled to fly April 7 can rebook for April 8 through April 11, or postpone their trip after April 11, change their country of origin or destination, or cancel their trip, in which case they will also receive the one-year voucher.
Delta is also offering change waivers for customers on Air France, Hop! And Joon flights. Customers scheduled to fly April 3 can rebook April 4 – 8, and customers scheduled to fly April 7 can rebook April 8 – 11.
Rail Strike
In addition to the strikes on Air France, a national rail strike could cause additional travel disruptions for the next three months.
According to The Local.fr, train drivers and other staff are planning three months of work stoppages starting the night of Monday, April 2. The strikes are to protest reform plans announced by President Emmanuel Macron and his government.
According to a statement on the website of national railway operator SNCF, travelers should expect train travel to be “very disrupted” starting Tuesday, April 3. SCNF is recommending that travelers postpone their trips. They can also check the trains for April 3 on the SNCF app. For every day thereafter, information on the next day’s trains will be posted at 5 pm.
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