– It is open for signature until 31 May 2017
Following the presentation of the Trust Together strategic project last November, Air France management and the pilot unions began negotiating an agreement to create a new airline (the Boost project) and improve Air France’s competitiveness.
On 20 February, a large majority of pilots voted in favour of the creation of this new airline, during a consultation organized by the main union (SNPL).
After more than four months of negotiations with the unions, which gave rise to significant progress towards a balanced compromise, a draft global agreement is now open for signature until 31 May this year.
The main features of the draft agreement are as follows:
• On the creation of the new airline (the Boost project):
– The new airline will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air France,
– The flights will be operated by Air France pilots,
– The economic contribution of pilots related to the creation of the new airline will be shared by all pilots,
– The new airline’s fleet will be limited to 18 medium-haul aircraft and 10 long-haul aircraft.
• On improving Air France’s competitiveness: various measures with a strong economic impact are proposed, including one less rest day on medium-haul and the optimization of the A330 and A350 aircraft cabins. The overall balance of these measures makes it possible not to implement the reduction in the night shift bonus, as planned under Transform 2015;
• On the scope of activity: The creation of the new airline provides guarantees of activity on medium-haul and long-haul (increase in capacity to respect the production balance).
The draft agreement also includes various measures relating to the training and activity of pilots.
“This draft agreement is a positive, ambitious and balanced compromise, which enables us to settle a large number of major topics which have been under discussion between Air France and its pilots for several years. It will allow the company to move forward, thanks in particular to the creation of the new airline this autumn. We have all followed our convictions through to the end in these negotiations, and we must now all take responsibility: what is at stake is Air France’s future and its ability to embark on a new phase of sustainable growth and recovery” said Air France Chairman Jean-Marc Janaillac.
