The chairman of Groupe Air France said about two thirds of its long-haul flights and half of its short-haul flights were operating on the first day of a four-day strike by pilots.
Mr Jean-Cyril Spinetta told RTL television station the group will stick to its revised flight schedule published yesterday and said the strike will be bad for the company, its employees, its future and shareholders.
He also called for talks with the striking pilots to restart: "I'm open to any call from them this morning. I am ready to restart talks with them when they show willing".
Mr Spinetta said it is "necessary to restore internal and external confidence so that the opening-up of the capital can go ahead as expected in January or February 2003".
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