Not entirely unexpected perhaps?
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-...103601048.html
SINGAPORE — Embattled national carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group on Thursday (10 September) announced that it will cut some 4,300 jobs across its three airlines.
The cuts will result in the layoff of about 2,400 staff from SIA, SilkAir and Scoot in Singapore and overseas stations, after taking into consideration a recruitment freeze, natural attrition and voluntary departures involving some 1,900 staff.
“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,” said SIA in a statement posted on the Singapore Exchange late on Thursday.
SIA said the decision was “taken in light of the long road to recovery for the global airline industry due to the debilitating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the urgent need for the Group’s airlines to adapt to an uncertain future”.
It added that it is in an even more vulnerable position compared with most major airlines in the world as it “does not have a domestic market that will be the first to see a recovery.
“In order to remain viable in this uncertain landscape, the Group’s airlines will operate a smaller fleet for a reduced network compared to their pre-COVID-19 operations in the coming years,” it added.
SIA previously said it expects to operate under half of its capacity at the end of financial year 2020/21 compared with pre-COVID-19 levels. In its statement, the airline also noted that industry groups have forecast that passenger traffic will not return to previous levels until around 2024.
SIA chief executive Goh Choon Phong said the airline’s priorities from the outset of the pandemic were to ensure survival and save as many jobs as possible.
“Having to let go of our valuable and dedicated people is the hardest and most agonising decision that I have had to make in my 30 years with SIA. This 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,” said Goh.
He added that the retrenchment process will be conducted “in a fair and respectful manner” and that the company will “do our best to ensure that they receive all the necessary support during this very trying time”.
In his May Day message in April, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said no effort will be spared to ensure that SIA and the aviation sector will see through the current crisis.
“The Government is determined that SIA will see through this crisis,” said he said. “SIA has always flown Singapore's flag high all over the world and made us proud. We will spare no effort to enable it to do so again.”
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-...103601048.html
SINGAPORE — Embattled national carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group on Thursday (10 September) announced that it will cut some 4,300 jobs across its three airlines.
The cuts will result in the layoff of about 2,400 staff from SIA, SilkAir and Scoot in Singapore and overseas stations, after taking into consideration a recruitment freeze, natural attrition and voluntary departures involving some 1,900 staff.
“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,” said SIA in a statement posted on the Singapore Exchange late on Thursday.
SIA said the decision was “taken in light of the long road to recovery for the global airline industry due to the debilitating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the urgent need for the Group’s airlines to adapt to an uncertain future”.
It added that it is in an even more vulnerable position compared with most major airlines in the world as it “does not have a domestic market that will be the first to see a recovery.
“In order to remain viable in this uncertain landscape, the Group’s airlines will operate a smaller fleet for a reduced network compared to their pre-COVID-19 operations in the coming years,” it added.
SIA previously said it expects to operate under half of its capacity at the end of financial year 2020/21 compared with pre-COVID-19 levels. In its statement, the airline also noted that industry groups have forecast that passenger traffic will not return to previous levels until around 2024.
SIA chief executive Goh Choon Phong said the airline’s priorities from the outset of the pandemic were to ensure survival and save as many jobs as possible.
“Having to let go of our valuable and dedicated people is the hardest and most agonising decision that I have had to make in my 30 years with SIA. This 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,” said Goh.
He added that the retrenchment process will be conducted “in a fair and respectful manner” and that the company will “do our best to ensure that they receive all the necessary support during this very trying time”.
In his May Day message in April, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said no effort will be spared to ensure that SIA and the aviation sector will see through the current crisis.
“The Government is determined that SIA will see through this crisis,” said he said. “SIA has always flown Singapore's flag high all over the world and made us proud. We will spare no effort to enable it to do so again.”
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