Minister to meet Air France executives over sexual harassment claims

French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot will speak to Air France executives on Wednesday about claims of a culture of sexual harassment within the company.

The meeting comes shortly after the public broadcaster Radio France published the testimonies of a number of female Air France employees, who say they were sexually harassed by their colleagues.

The women allege that the airline "protects the abusers, not the hostesses".

When contacted by Radio France, Air France categorically denied the claim, saying it has a "zero tolerance" policy in place.

"I am taking this case very seriously. At this moment in time I can't accuse Air France of anything, but will meet with Air France employees and management today to understand what has been going on," Tabarot told BFM TV on Wednesday.

During Radio France's investigations, an air hostess named Mathilde told the broadcaster that she had been harassed during a flight by a head steward.

Mathilde said the man pressed his genitals against her back while she was squatting down to prepare equipment. She claimed he then put his hands on her breasts, before she managed to escape to the cockpit to take refuge.

The man denied the allegations.

In June 2022, Mathilde lodged a police complaint about the incident. Although the Nanterre public prosecutor's office says the investigation is still ongoing, Mathilde's case was quickly closed at Air France and no further action was taken.

Flight crews frequently work long shifts and stay in the same hotels overnight during layovers. One air hostess named Juliette told Radio France that a more senior staff member insistently "suggested we meet in the bedroom" during a work trip.

After lodging a complaint with Air France, Juliette said did not hear anything for more than six months. The company's internal policy says reports of harassment should be dealt with within eight weeks.

Air France has adopted a firm stance to the allegations, asserting that its sexual harassment policies are robust.

However an internal report published in September 2024 — seen by Radio France — suggests that victims remain silent out of fear that they "will not be taken seriously".