"As long as management does not change its philosophy and as long as Air France management will not conduct real talks in a cooperative spirit to counter low-cost (airlines), Air France pilots will be on strike," Jean-Louis Barber, head of the Air France section of the SNPL union told a news conference.

"We are now asking for the withdrawal of the Transavia Europe project," he added, referring to a plan to create a low-cost subsidiary based in hubs outside of France, which Air France pilots say will create unfair wage competition.

(Reporting By Nicholas Vinocur and Gregory Blachier)