French pilot and cabin crew unions call for strike during Autumn holidays
Pilots and cabin crew unions in France have called a nationwide five-day strike to coincide with the start of the Toussaint school holidays in October.
The strike has been called by an alliance of unions representing pilots and cabin crew and is due to start on Saturday, October 17th and last until Wednesday, October 21st.
The dispute revolves around France’s planned reform of the cumul emploi-retraite system, which allows people to continue working while receiving a retirement pension.
The unions are protesting planned changes to France’s rules on combining a pension with employment, which are due to come into force on January 1st, 2027.
Under the new system, people who retire before the statutory retirement age, which the government says will reach 64 in the long term, and then return to work would see their pension reduced by 100 percent of their earnings.
Between the age at which they become eligible for a pension and 67, their pension would instead be reduced by 50 percent of any work income above a set threshold. Combining work and a pension would therefore become less financially advantageous before 67, while the current system would continue to apply after that age.
The strike notice applies to pilots and cabin crew working for air transport and aviation companies covered by French labour law. This means the impact will not necessarily be limited to French airlines. Flights operated with crews working under French employment law could also be affected.
However, it is too early to say how many flights will be cancelled or delayed.
The level of disruption will depend on how many pilots and cabin crew participate in the strike and how airlines organise their schedules. At the time of writing, airlines have not announced detailed cancellation or disruption plans.
The strike may interfere with travel during the school Toussaint holidays, which fall from October 16th to November 2nd – so if you have a flight between October 17th and 21st, check directly with your airline before travelling.
Airlines are expected to provide information about cancellations, delays or schedule changes if they are affected by the strike. Passengers should also check their departure airport’s website and keep an eye on their email or airline app in the days before travelling. A strike notice does not mean that all flights will be cancelled.
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The unions have said they remain open to discussions with the government, meaning the situation could still change before the planned strike dates.
