Pilots
for Air France have begun a week-long strike.
The
carrier will run less than 50% of normal flights, it said.
The
pilots are protesting against a transfer of jobs by the airline to a low-cost
carrier to keep up with competition.
Air
France is urging passengers around the world to change or postpone travel. Last
week it said it would transfer much of its European operations to low-cost
carrier Transavia.
The
same difficult conditions are faced by large airlines across Europe, facing
tough rivalry from budget airlines and Gulf state carriers, that are often
backed by royal families.
Lufthansa strike
Chief
Executive Frederic Gagey told France Inter radio that the strike would cost the
airline 10m to 15m euros (£8m - £12m) a day.
The
airline said it would consider negotiation on benefits based on
