easyJet cancels about 100 France flights in crew strike

easyJet called off about 100 flights from French airports on Saturday and Sunday because of a cabin crew strike over repeated schedule changes.

Unions said about half of the British budget airline's 900 French-based cabin crew would join the action, affecting about half of flights from two Paris airports, Nice, Bordeaux and Lyon. Most cancellations were made on Friday, with the company saying it wanted to help passengers find alternative routes.

William Bourdon of the SNPNC-FO union said cabin crew wanted more stability in their duties and that some staff could have their hours and destinations changed 50 to 60 times a week, often 24 to 48 hours before departure.

easyJet management called the strike “opportunistic” because it falls on a major national holiday weekend. The airline said it had made offers to change staff conditions and that talks were planned in September.

The three unions involved in talks have warned of strikes between August 7 and September 2.