EMIRATES AIRLINE OFFERED PILOTS TO TAKE 12 MONTHS UNPAID LEAVE

Wed 04 November 2020:

Dubai-based Emirates Airline has confirmed a selection of its pilots have been offered unpaid leave for a period of 12 months.

It is the latest cost-cutting measure from the carrier as the impacts of the global coronavirus pandemic continue to cause chaos across the aviation industry. 

“We can confirm that we’ve offered some of our pilots unpaid leave for 12 months, with the possibility of an early recall back to duty depending on how quickly demand rebounds and our operational requirements,” an Emirates spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

Most Emirates’ employees are foreigners, meaning they are not eligible for government benefits in the United Arab Emirates where the airline is headquartered and operates from.

Emirates would continue to provide accommodation, medical cover and other allowances to those on unpaid leave, the spokeswoman said.

Emirates has cut thousands of jobs this year, including pilots and flight attendants, while also cutting salaries and asking staff to take unpaid leave.

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