Fiji Airways has laid off over half of its workforce. The Nadi-based airline yesterday announced that 758 employees including cabin crew and pilots, who are not currently working and not expected to return to work anytime soon have been permanently stood down. The move comes amid the ongoing travel downturn caused by COVID-19 and revenues at the airline in sharp decline.
Through a termination letter sent to the staff. In the letter, Fiji Airways said the severe effects of Covid-19 had resulted in the company taking the “drastic step”.
Fiji Airways Managing Director & CEO, Andre Viljoen, in a statement released on Monday said, “This is a very difficult announcement and one we are only making after exhausting all other options. The sad reality of prolonged flight suspensions means that we simply do not have work for a large segment of our workforce now, and for the foreseeable future”.
“We have no other option but to terminate the employment of staff to whom we cannot provide work, which is an unfortunate but vital step we must take in order to protect our cash position and to preserve as many jobs as possible for those staff who the business needs in order to function today.”
The laid-off employees were given 48 hours from the time the letter was received to return to Fiji Airways property and collect their personal belongings. They will be paid a minimum notice period of one month, plus any accumulated leave and other entitlements .
Culled from simpleflying.com