Air France’s French unions called on management Tuesday to resume talks over a pay dispute four days after the chief executive’s surprise resignation sent the strike-hit carrier deeper into turmoil. Pilots, cabin crew and ground staff were on strike for a 15th day since February Tuesday and Air France said one in five flights would be canceled. It estimates the industrial action has so far cost it E300m. Unions said Monday they would not renew their strike notice, meaning no further strikes are planned for now. Air France had offered workers a pay rise of 2% in 2018 and a further 5% over the following three years, but the unions, which have demanded 5.1% this year, have complained management is not serious about talks. <br/>
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Dutch union representatives said Tuesday KLM would have to stick with its partnership with Air France even though the French airline is under increasing pressure from strikes. Air France shares fell more than 10% Monday after CE Jean-Marc Janaillac said he would resign over the rejection by staff of the airline’s pay deal. “We are very concerned about the situation at Air France, which should be resolved as soon as possible”, a Dutch labour official said. Air France-KLM last week said it expected profits to fall this year due to the strikes. Air France’s problems have prompted calls in the Netherlands for KLM to free itself from its ailing partner, but the unions say the Dutch airline is too small to make it on its own. <br/>