Air France plans to cut 2,900 jobs – 1,700 ground staff, 900 cabin crew and 300 pilots – in 2016.

ITF civil aviation secretary Gabriel Mocho said: “We supported the actions and will continue to back our affiliates in their battle with Air France.

“We unconditionally deplore social violence – and our Air France affiliates immediately denounced the isolated incident in an otherwise peaceful demonstration. Forcing skilled workers to unemployment is the original act of violence.”

The ITF expresses its opposition to any attempt to criminalise the actions of trade unions, and it is demanding the reinstatement of the dismissed workers.