HR boss Xavier Broseta and senior official Pierre Plissonnier are then seen – clothes torn to rags by the mob – climbing a fence in a desperate bid to escape.

Two security guards were hurt in the clashes at Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport, including one who was left unconscious for several hours, a spokesman for the airline said.

While flights were even delayed as the chaos unfolded.

It comes after the airline announced it would cut 2,900 jobs, abolish five routes and drop 35 weekly long-haul flights – mostly to Asia and the Middle East.

Now the airline says it will file a complaint for aggravated assault and push ahead with its plans, after failing to reach an agreement with pilots.

France's transport secretary, Alain Vidalies, condemned the violence, saying in a tweet it was "unacceptable and must be punished".

Mr Broseta later said he had messages of sympathy from colleagues throughout the day, including from union leaders.

"We are fighting every day for an Air France that will have lasting growth," he said, donning a new jacket and tie. "Violence and intimidation will have no part of that."

The airline announced the cuts amid fierce competition from budget airlines in Europe and Gulf carriers for long-haul flights.

(dailystar.co.uk)