Lufthansa pilots called off strike plans
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The move came after Lufthansa said it would proceed with its long-haul flights from Frankfurt despite earlier threats of a strike on Tuesday. Vereinigung Cockpit said late Monday it had received a new offer for transition payment for those wanting to retire early.
Air France said it had been forced to cancel some of ten flights on Monday and predicted the groundings the next day.
Air France pilots intend to strike until Friday over the carrier's plans to expand the low-cost operations of its Transavia brand by setting up foreign bases. Their union said they stood ready to prolong the strike as both sides accused the other of causing an impasse in weekend negotiations.
An extended strike could become the airline's most serious dispute since a 10-day stoppage that disrupted France's hosting of the World Cup soccer tournament in 1998, union leaders said. ■