Low-cost carrier AirAsia Philippines is planning to rehire the retrenched workers due to the unexpected impact of the pandemic in their operations last year. The rehiring is being targeted at the second quarter of next year.
“There will be more aircraft, more destinations, additional destinations, more flights. So, that’s the first thing we will get, to rehire our pilots, cabin crews, and of course engineers and maintenance people,” AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla said in a virtual briefing, as reported by Inquirer.net.
The plan of rehiring their workers is in line with AirAsia’s target to return to at least 90 percent of its pre-COVID domestic capacity by the first quarter of 2022.
“Rehiring to us is a top priority. As a matter of fact, hopefully by the second quarter (of 2022), tingnan natin papunta tayo diyan,” Isla added.
AirAsia spokesperson Steve Dailisan said the airline had to let go of 624 employees due to the financial implications of the pandemic. As of the moment, the airline currently has a headcount of 1,500 employees.
With the easing of travel restrictions last month, the airline saw a 73 percent rise in load factor, signifying a steady improvement throughout the pandemic.
AirAsia says it targets to resume international flights in December, particularly in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.
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