AIRLINES

Merger Plans Spark Strike at Air France: France’s state-owned domestic airline canceled 70% of its flights Thursday after unions representing its 11,000 employees went on strike to protest the airline’s merger plans. The one-day walkout coincided with the announcement of plans to merge the domestic Air France Europe into Air France. The merger would eliminate about 950 jobs over two years and it would do away with a longtime 15% premium paid to Air France Europe pilots, Air France said. Christian Blanc, president of Air France Group, said the merger is “a decisive factor if the French flag carrier is to compete with high-performance U.S. or European carriers.” A similar strike last week grounded 65,000 travelers.