Covid-19 is now hitting home at the major Gulf airlines, with schedules having been suspended or cancelled altogether over the last couple of months.
The National reports that Dubai-based Emirates is cutting salaries by between 25 and 50 per cent for most employees.
The publication quotes one pilot as saying that his salary would be halved.
“I am earning above Dhs 70,000 (£15,430) so without flying time I’ll get Dhs 35,000 (£7,715).”
There’s a similar situation at nearby Etihad Airways of Abu Dhabi, according to arabianbusiness.com, and at Muscat-based Oman Air, reports gulfbusiness.com.
Matters are more serious at Doha-based Qatar Airways, where staff are being laid-off or, if still being employed, must accept pay cuts.
A good number of cabin crew are being made redundant.
In a memo to staff CEO Akbar Al Baker warned that “The global outlook for our industry looks grim and many airlines are closing or significantly reducing operations.”
According to Aljazeera Qatar Airways now confirms there will be lay-offs. These will include cabin crew. It goes on to say that expatriate staff unable to return to their home countries immediately would be provided with housing and living allowance until such time as a return was possible.
In more positive news Qatar Airways this week announced a “phased rebuilding” of its network, with plans to serve 80 destinations by the end of June.