Singapore Airlines today announced that it will reduce its workforce by over 4,300 workers in response to the impact in air transport due to Covid-19. As well operate less than 50% of its normal flight schedule by the end of the 20/21 financial year.
Goh Choon Phong,Chief Executive Singapore Airlines, disclosed this via a memo sent to workers, while he tagged the situation “extremely challenging.”
“Given the expectation that the road to recovery will be long and fraught with uncertainty, it has come to the point where we have to make the painfully difficult decision to implement involuntary staff reduction measures.”
The memo adds: “Discussions have begun with our Singapore-based unions. The group will work closely with them to finalise the arrangements as soon as possible for those affected, and try to minimise the stress and anxiety on our people.”
Singapore Airlines plans to remove 4,300 people from its workforce, where 2,400 employees are existing Singapore Airlines staff members who will be laid off. A further 1,900 people will remove themselves from the airline as a result of voluntary departures or hiring freezes. This figure represents a 15% cut to the Singapore Airlines workforce.
Singapore Airlines will lose 15% of its workforce. Photo: Singapore Airlines
According to a statement seen by Reuters. Goh Choon Phong, reassured that,
“This decision is not a reflection of the strengths and capabilities of those who will be affected, but the result of an unprecedented global crisis that has engulfed the airline industry.”
According to Planespotters.net, the airline owns 131 aircraft in its fleet. It is a young, Airbus-dominated collection of planes with a hopeful future.
Like many airlines, Singapore Airlines had reasons to adjust its flight schedule. That said, the percentage of scheduled upcoming flights is well below the volume operating in 2019.
This month, the airline has just 7% of its scheduled 2019 services planned. For October, it doesn’t look much better. Only 8% of scheduled 2019 flights will happen next month. By November, just 11% of its scheduled flights will be up and running.