Singapore Airlines Group to retrench about 4,300 employees

Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group will cut around 4,300 positions across its three airlines as it continues to grapple with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it announced on September 10.

The three airlines under SIA Group are SilkAir, Scoot Tigerair and national carrier Singapore Airlines.

However, the final number of staff affected may be reduced to around 2,400 after factoring in previous measures such as early release or retirement scheme for pilots, crew and ground staff, as well as a recruitment freeze implemented in March.

The latest job cuts come just a month after the company announced a pay cut for all staff by at least 10% in August.

“Collectively, these measures have allowed the Group to eliminate some 1,900 positions,” SIA said in a media release.

“As a result, the potential job cuts across the Group may be reduced to around 2,400 in Singapore and across SIA’s overseas stations.

“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,” it added.

SIA Chief Executive Officer Goh Choon Phong expressed that the latest job cuts is the “hardest and most agonising decision” in the history of the company and assured affected employees that they will conduct the retrenchment in a fair and respectful manner.

“The next few weeks will be some of the toughest in the history of the SIA Group as some of our friends and colleagues leave the company,” he said.

“We will conduct this process in a fair and respectful manner, and do our best to ensure that you receive all the necessary support during this very trying time,” he added.

SIA is expected to continue operating at under 50% of its capacity as it continues to grapple with the devastating impact that the pandemic had on the aviation and travel industry.