570,000 aviation jobs in the Philippines at risk

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warns that the aviation industry’s recovery will be long and challenging.
By: | June 28, 2020
Topics: Asia-Pacific | Job Cuts | News | Philippines | Restructuring | Southeast Asia

570,000 jobs in the aviation and related industries in the Philippines are at risk of being lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The International Air Transport Association (IATA) told The Star.

The aviation and travel industries are reeling from the effects of the pandemic as visitor numbers have come to a standstill since the start of the country’s lockdown in March.

IATA’s latest assessment showed a further jump from its April and March estimates of 548,300 and 419,800 potential job losses, respectively.

It warns that the aviation industry’s recovery will be long and challenging as airlines remain financially fragile until next year.

National carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has laid off 300 ground-based administrative and management personnel, and the company’s president and COO Gilbert Santa Maria earlier said the airline may lay off more crew depending on how its recovery plays out.

Budget carrier AirAsia Philippines will be letting go 12% of its 2,200 employees starting next month, while Cebu Pacific is also looking at reducing further its staff in the coming days after laying off over 150 cabin crew members last March.