FX.co ★ Europe losing patience with striking Air France pilots

The SNPL pilots union of France called a halt to the strike. The union announced a strike in an effort to stall the low-cost operations of its former Dutch charter unit Transavia by setting up foreign bases. On the whole, Air France seeks to fight against fierce competition from budget carriers.
The union and Air France have not reached an accord yet. "Talks have reached a complete impasse," the SNPL said in a statement. "Management is playing for time, waiting for the movement to weaken." Meanwhile, the union has called on French Prime Minister Manuel Valls to assist in resolving the dispute.
Air France-KLM struggled to resume service after a two-week walkout by Air France pilots stranded hundreds of thousands of passengers. The strike has been the most lengthy since 1998 costing the company more than €250 million ($317 million).