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Singapore Airlines retrenches 26 pilots, 156 cabin crew
Singapore, July 21: Singapore Airlines (SIA) said it is laying off 26 pilots and 156 cabin crew in an effort to cut costs as it struggles to recover from the heavy damage caused to the business by SARS.
Singapore, July 21: Singapore Airlines (SIA) said it is laying off 26 pilots and 156 cabin crew in an effort to cut costs as it struggles to recover from the heavy damage caused to the business by SARS.
The laid-off pilots, representing 1.5 per cent of its air crew strength, comprise 21 captains and five first officers. Six of the captains are based overseas, SIA said in a statement.
The 156 stewards and stewardesses are of various ranks and represent 2.4 per cent of the cabin crew strength.
The airline has about 1,800 pilots and 6,600 cabin crew.
"SIA has taken this decision with regret. Although compulsory no-pay leave and wage cuts have helped reduce staff costs, these measures alone could not address the prevailing surplus crew," SIA said.
"It was therefore necessary to reduce the numbers through retrenchment and the termination of contracts," said the airline.
SIA sharply cut flight capacity, cut 414 staff, slashed salaries and offered an early retirement package to its male cabin crew to reduce costs following the plunge in travel demand caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Pilots had their monthly salaries slashed by 16.5 per cent and first officers by 11 per cent. The pilots' union also agreed members would take up to two days of unpaid leave a month.
The 156 stewards and stewardesses are of various ranks and represent 2.4 per cent of the cabin crew strength.
The airline has about 1,800 pilots and 6,600 cabin crew.
"SIA has taken this decision with regret. Although compulsory no-pay leave and wage cuts have helped reduce staff costs, these measures alone could not address the prevailing surplus crew," SIA said.
"It was therefore necessary to reduce the numbers through retrenchment and the termination of contracts," said the airline.
SIA sharply cut flight capacity, cut 414 staff, slashed salaries and offered an early retirement package to its male cabin crew to reduce costs following the plunge in travel demand caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Pilots had their monthly salaries slashed by 16.5 per cent and first officers by 11 per cent. The pilots' union also agreed members would take up to two days of unpaid leave a month.
Bureau Report