The ITF and the ETF express their firm solidarity with French trade unions as they prepare to take industrial action at the Aéroports de Paris (Charles de Gaulle-Roissy and Orly airports) between 1 July and 5 July.

The European aviation sector needs dedicated support measures in order to survive the crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ETF urges European institutions as well as Member States to provide additional support measures to the European aviation sector and its workers.

ETF is deeply concerned about reports that the German national football team will be using the Lithuanian carrier, KlasJet, for its travel during the UEFA Euro 2020 football tournament. Germany will be the second national team to use this company which has advertised cabin crew jobs operating on this “VIP” carrier with salaries as low as €540 per month.

The ETF and its affiliates call on the Lufthansa Group to ensure that their respective brands will engage in social dialogue with our affiliated unions with immediate effect if this does not currently exist in a coherent and permanent fashion.

As the representative body of all aviation workers in Europe we have seen first-hand the damage to workers and indeed to air safety caused by a “management of fear” which is attested to in a recent report. Therefore, we are deeply alarmed by the claims that this is potentially the style of management employed by EASA whose role is to protect air safety and promote just culture throughout the aviation industry.