Strike at French airport

More airport strikes are expected throughout France this week. This will have repercussions on flight schedules.

As French pilots go on strike from 6-9 February, serious disruptions and flight cancellations are planned. Travelers are advised to check their flight status on relevant airport websites or with their tour operator before setting off to the airport.

If you are due to travel between these dates with Air France, you are entitled to change your flight date free of charge. Customers can delay their trip until the 16 February. The second alternative is to rebook for a trip between 17 February and 5 April. This will also be free of charge, but will depend on availability and customers will be asked to pay the difference if they opt for a more expensive ticket. Changes can be made online on the Air France website.

Other possible options include changing destinations, the point of departure, or postponing travel until after 5 April 2012. Customers must contact their usual point of sales before 16 February 2012 in order to claim a credit voucher valid for one year on Air France and KLM. For flight cancellations, or delays of more than 5 hours, customers are entitled to a refund (NB: service fees will not be refunded).

Air France has confirmed that all affected customers will be informed directly by SMS or email. Contact details must be updated in order for the airline to be able to keep customers informed.

From the day before departure, customers will be able to check up-to-date flight information on the Air France website and on smart phone Air France applications.

The strike was confirmed Thursday night. It has been rumoured that the strike may last beyond 9 February, but no firm conclusion has been reached yet.