Qatar Airways is warning of significant cuts to its global workforce, including a downsizing of cabin crew.
According to an internal communication seen by Reuters, the airline has to ‘face a new reality.’
There is ‘no foreseeable outlook for immediate, positive change,’ CEO Akbar al-Baker said in the note to cabin crew.
"We simply cannot sustain the current numbers and we need to make a substantial number of jobs redundant – inclusive of cabin crew."
An airline spokesman confirmed the job redundancies: "The unparalleled impact on our industry has caused significant challenges for all airlines and we must act decisively to protect the future of our business."
The airline has almost 50,000 employees.
According to the memo impacted employees will be paid off according to their contracts along with any overtime due.
Foreign staff being laid off who cannot immediately return home due to travel restrictions will be provided with housing and a living allowance until borders reopen.
Qatar Air recently informed some staff that half their wages would be deferred for at least three months.
