PARIS--Franco-Dutch airline Air France-KLM SA's (AF.FR)
management said Monday it was confident it could reach an agreement
with pilot unions to open bases outside France for its lower-cost
carrier Transavia in April, as scheduled.
In a bid to end a week-long strike by Air France pilots, the
company said it has offered labor unions to suspend the launch of
the European bases for three months. In addition, Air France-KLM
Chief Executive Alexandre de Juniac said he has proposed
fast-tracking the expansion of Transavia France, increasing its
fleet to 37 planes from 14.
"Few people could understand the reasons behind the strike," Mr.
de Juniac told reporters in Paris. "Now, nobody can understand
them."
Two pilot unions have rejected Mr. de Juniac's proposals, saying
the strike would continue.
Mr. de Juniac said the industrial action, which began Sept. 15,
was causing a daily operating loss of close to EUR20 million ($25.7
million).
Pilots walked out a week ago to protest Air France's plans to
expand Transavia, while cutting costs at the parent airline. Unions
say they want the company to grant pilots at Transavia Europe the
same working conditions and generous benefits as those at Air
France.
Write to Inti Landauro at Inti.Landauro@wsj.com
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