Airfreight shipments due to fly long haul services on Air France today (March 22) should not be affected by the nation-wide French labour strike.

The airline has issued a statement that: “in the context of a national call for a strike in France, on Thursday 22 March 2018, French Civil Aviation Authorities gave instructions to all airlines to decrease their flight schedule from and to French airports.”

However, the airline expects to operate 100 per cent of long-haul flights, 75 per cent of medium-haul flights to and from Paris-Charles de Gaulle and 60 per cent of short-haul flights to and from Paris-Orly and French provinces.

“Last minute delays and cancellations can be expected,” says the carrier.

Air France flights operated by an aircraft other than that of Air France or Joon will not be affected by this strike.

France 24 reports had suggested that “half of Air France’s long-haul flights out of Paris Thursday will be cancelled due to a strike by pilots, cabin crew and ground staff. The media outlet had said that the airline expected to maintain 75 per cent of its scheduled service but only 50 per cent of its long-haul flights and advised travellers to postpone their trips until February 27 at no extra cost.

Air France staff are demanding a six per cent across-the-board pay increase. Management is offering a basic increase of one per cent to be paid in two instalments and a range of incentives, which trade unions have dismissed as “small change”, says France 24.