Air France cut two-fifths of long-haul flights and half its other services, causing severe airport disruption on Friday as pilots began a four day strike in a protest against proposed retirement age reforms.
The carrier said it would be able to operate 65-70 percent of long-haul flights and around half of its planned short and medium-haul flights at the weekend.
The strike was called over proposals to allow pilots to retire at 65 rather than the current final retirement age of 60, a measure being discussed in parliament as part of wider social security reforms.
The company and the government say the planned change would be voluntary and pilots would not be forced to work until 65, but unions believe it is the thin end of a wedge that will force staff to work longer or accept lower pensions.
The strike started at midnight local time on Thursday and is due to last until midnight on Monday and will likely cost the airline EUR100 million euros (USD$125 million), Chairman Jean-Cyril Spinetta said on Thursday.
Calling the protest over the retirement age "useless and dangerous", Spinetta said in an open letter to unions the strike could worsen the impact of an industry-wide crisis.
He said the extension would be optional and pilots would still be able to retire at 60 if they wished. European safety authority EASA would in any case soon increase the maximum pilot retirement age to 65 and France would have to fall into line.
Transport officials have warned of severe disruption at French airports over the weekend due to the strike.
