Air France to cut 5,000 jobs

Air France says it is aiming to reduce staff numbers by more than 10% – 5,000 employees – after a sustained slide in income.

The airline is presenting a plan to its works council that would cut 5,122 staff through a process of voluntary redundancies and not filling vacant positions.

It said in a statement it will also encourage staff to switch to part-time or shared contracts.

The proposed cuts are part of a restructuring plan at Air France-KLM, its joint venture which has been hit by high debts and fuel costs and sinking cargo revenue amid a global economic slowdown.

Air France-KLM posted a net loss of €368m in the first quarter.

Air France and the Paris airport authority are unveiling a new hub today at Charles de Gaulle airport.