Air France pilots say flights still obstacle to 'boost' accord

Air France has a week to gain support from pilots for its plan for a new lower-cost airline to win back market share from competitors, with a key union demanding guarantees on the number of flights the carrier will operate.SNPL union has put Air France’s latest proposal for pilots, which includes the plan for the new airline, to its members. The union is recommending that they seek a firmer commitment on flight volumes, said Philippe Evain, president of SNPL’s Air France branch. The other choices are to agree to the deal as it is or to reject it, with a decision to be announced July 17. Air France-KLM Group plans to begin operating the unit, provisionally dubbed Boost, in October. A commitment by Air France to offer a certain number flights is tantamount to job guarantees for members of SNPL, which said it’s already seen its membership hurt as the company shifted flights from the French carrier to its Dutch unit, KLM. <br/>