“The decision is irresponsible and warns that these two professions do not have a right of withdrawal from Air France,” said SNPNCFO, addressing the recent resumption of flights over Libya by Air France.
Air France has resumed flights over Libya since the end of March 2026. The decision has raised concerns among flight crew unions, despite the airline’s claims of improved safety measures. The European Air Transport Authority recommends against flying over Libya due to ongoing safety issues.
Air France asserts that the French Directorate General of Civil Aviation approved the flights over a specific corridor in Libyan airspace. This route saves significant time on certain African routes, including 47 minutes to Kinshasa and 52 minutes to Johannesburg.
Yet, flight crew unions remain skeptical. They highlight potential risks associated with operating in a region with a troubled safety history. The US Federal Aviation Authority lifted its flight ban over Libyan airspace in March 2019, but many are still cautious.
In a related incident, Air France flight AF174 was diverted to Montréal due to a medical emergency approximately seven hours into its scheduled 11-hour journey. Air France confirmed the diversion to YUL.
The airline faces additional pressure as it navigates rising jet fuel prices, which have led Air France-KLM to cut its capacity growth outlook for 2026. The company’s share price saw fluctuations, including a 3.8 percent increase in one day but remains down 26.2 percent year-to-date.
The successful Egypt Air emergency landing at Kufra airport recently helped ease some fears and encouraged more airlines to consider flying through Libya’s vast airspace.
As Air France moves forward with its operations, the response from crew unions will likely shape future decisions regarding flight routes and safety protocols.
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