A painful prospect for the workers of Air France - KLM with plans to lay off more than 5,000 of its French work force by the end of 2013 to cut  costs by $2.5 billion a year. Thus bringing a return to profitability.

The French cargo unit seeks to cut its freighter capacity by 20 percent. Enforced layoffs are “unavoidable” if labor unions reject the Franco-Dutch company’s business plan.

Air France Cargo also is integrating operations with KLM Cargo and its Martinair subsidiary, which has taken over many of the freighters from the two companies and currently has six 747-400s and seven MD-11Fs. The three carriers have been operating a single network since June 1.

Air France Cargo is reducing its exposure to the weakening Chinese market. It stopped freighter service to Shanghai- and is refocusing on West Africa, the Indian Ocean, North America, Mexico and Japan.