Singapore Airlines puts pilots on hold as freight flops

January 01, 2009

Article from: Agence France-Presse

SINGAPORE Airlines is asking cargo pilots to take leave with no pay as the global economic slump hammers freight demand.
SIA vice-president of public affairs Stephen Forshaw said up to 30 months of unpaid leave was being requested to deal with an expected surplus of pilots while the company sidelined aircraft in the face of falling demand.
"The outlook for the freight industry is weak," he said.
"Around the world, shipping companies are parking vessels and all-cargo airlines are being severely affected. "SIA Cargo needs to do all it can to contain costs.
"In doing so, the company will work co-operatively with its staff and unions to deal with the issues that arise, with a focus on steps that can be taken to avoid retrenchments, which will only be considered as a matter of last resort." No talks were being held with passenger airline pilots about unpaid leave, Mr Forshaw said.
"However, we will respond to the changing demand climate quickly.
"If this means we identify surplus staff, we will work co-operatively with our staff and unions to manage the issues."
SIA filled 60.3 per cent of available cargo space in November, down from 64.5 per cent in the same month in 2007, according to the latest available data.
Aviation industry group International Air Transport Association said on Tuesday that global freight fell 13.5 per cent in November from the year before, its largest decline since 2001 in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US.
Freight traffic shrank 16.9 per cent for airlines in the Asia-Pacific, which account for almost half of all air cargo, IATA said.