Singapore Airlines mulling voluntary unpaid leave for staff
Singapore Airlines has imposed a hiring freeze and may also ask current staff to take voluntary unpaid leave.
It comes after a third round of capacity cuts on routes within Asia and beyond.
SIA group airlines SIA, SilkAir and budget carrier Scoot have suspended more than 3,000 flights until the end of May leaving excess manpower.
It means about 500 cabin crew members and around 50 pilots are not being fully utilised, hence the plan to offer unpaid leave.
"In response to Covid-19, a general recruitment freeze has been implemented for all ground positions, and non-essential duty travel has been suspended. We are closely monitoring the situation and will be decisive in implementing any additional measures that may be needed," the airline said.
In an internal memo CEO Goh Choon Phong said the virus had caused a significant drop in demand with loadings well down across Asia and globally.
"We will continue to be nimble and flexible in adjusting our capacity to match the changing demand patterns in the market," Goh said.
Changi Airport Group this week reported a big fall in total passenger traffic at the airport for the first two weeks of February.
It is down over 25% and a massive 85% between China and Singapore.
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