United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Alaska Airlines to shrink workforce by about 3,000
Alaska Airlines is warning of thousands of lay-offs as it prepares for a slow recovery.
As many as 3,000 jobs – more than 10% of the workforce – could be lost.
Downsizing will probably begin in October when government payroll-protection money runs out.
"Things will likely not go back to pre-Covid levels in the next 12 months. We see a smaller company in 2021. We see a smaller industry, in fact. We think we’ll be smaller by about 3,000 people," said Alaska Air Group president Ben Minicucci.
"We went from carrying 130,000 passengers a day to a trough of just 5,000 a day," Minicucci said of the impact of Covid-19 as countries around the world closed national and state borders.
Last week during a company webcast Minicucci hinted that about 3,000 jobs would likely go.
Demand has picked up but overall it is still carrying about 80% less passengers than normal.
The airline says about 5,000 are currently taking voluntary and unpaid leave.
Meanwhile the airline outlined new safety measures starting June 30 which include blocked middle seats until the end of July.
It expanded the Next-Level Care program with pre-flight health questionnaires, the wearing of face masks and hand sanitizing wipes available onboard starting in July.
Boarding procedure has been revised and passengers will embark in smaller groups dependent on row numbers from the back to the front.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism: Don Welsh on Community Values and Global Collaboration
Jane Cunningham: Enhancing European Engagement in Tourism
Kristin Dunne: Navigating Destination Strategy
Revolutionizing Mobile Connectivity: Boris Bijlstra on HUBBY eSIM
Capturing Glasgow’s Vibrancy: An Interview with Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life
Lebua Hotel & Resorts: Rajan Khurana on Hospitality and Bangkok’s Charms
Sustainable Tourism and Growth: Insights from Chiravadee Khunsub from Tourism Authority of Thailand
Revolutionizing Travel: SmartSIM USA’s Dale Takio Unveils the Power of E Sims
TravelMole Interview with Hishan Singhawansa, Deputy CEO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka
Unveiling the Essence of Magari Tours: A Dive into Authentic Italian Experiences
EU airports bring back 100ml liquid rule
British Airways passengers endure 11-hour 'flight to nowhere'
CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
Co-pilot faints, easyJet flight issues ‘red alert’
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak