Paris - A four-day strike called by unions representing pilots for French carrier Air France will cost the company up to 100 million euros (125 million dollars), company head Jean-Cyril Spinetta said Thursday in an open letter to the pilots.

"Four days of strike is a diminution of 100 million euros of our profits and therefore of our capacity to invest at a time when ... banks are not eager to finance companies," Spinetta wrote.

The company said that the strike, which is to begin on Friday, will lead to the cancellation of at least half of its 760 middle-distance and 73 long-distance flights.

The job action was called to protest the increase of the retirement age from 60 to 65.

Air France has set up a special hotline telephone number for passengers wanting information about a flight scheduled for the strike period. From abroad, it is 00331 5702
1055. Information is also available on its internet site, www. airfrance. com. (dpa)