Business
COVID-19: Caribbean Airlines to extend temporary layoffs
The region’s largest carrier has been struggling since countries in the region closed their borders in an attempt to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Trinidad & Tobago-based Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) has extended the temporary layoffs of some of its employees for an additional 3 months from January 15-April 15, 2021.
An internal memo sent to staff by CAL CEO Garvin Medera, said the company must continue to “keep costs at an absolute minimum” while it awaits the reopening of the country’s borders.
The company announced furloughs and salary cuts from October 15 as short-term measures to save the company, which has been struggling since countries in the region closed their borders in an attempt to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The memo said funding for the foreseeable future was uncertain. It said while the company was reluctant to extend the layoffs, it was necessary to prevent the need for more severe measures.
The memo also said the company informed staff of salary reductions in October for an 8-month period ending in June 2021, it said the company would continue to cut costs wherever possible, including contractors, temporary workers, and irrelevant allowances.
“As a management team, we continue to monitor the situation for alternative options, or an improvement in the marketplace that would allow the company to operate normally again. In the meantime, we are committed to supporting all employees in the company as best we can.”
The memo said a decision on additional funding is expected in January.
Caribbean Airlines remains the largest carrier in the region.