As Singapore Airlines (SIA) continues to face manpower supply surplus, the airline is offering a scheme for its cabin crew to take a voluntary no-pay leave for three months starting in September.
According to a report from TODAY, the no-pay leave is being offered to SIA's 8,200 cabin crew members.
The report noted that the airline sent a notice to its crew on the scheme for chief steward and flight steward positions.
The airline reportedly announced that the voluntary no-pay leave scheme would happen from time to time to better manage crew resources.
To recall, SIA Ceo Goh Choon Phong said last month that the airline may cut jobs after posting a net loss of S$138m in its fourth quarter, compared to the S$225 million profit it recorded in the preceding quarter.
In a statement sent to the media, the Public Affairs Department of SIA noted that the purpose of the scheme is to allow the company to better manage crew resources and operational requirements.
Additionally, it said that the temporary surpluses or deficits of cabin crew are not unusual due to the nature of the business.
"It's a new approach to ensure the Cabin Crew Division is more flexible and nimble in managing crew resources, and the intention is to offer it from time to time going forward," SIA explained.
It was during post-2008 global financial crisis when the airline last offered their cabin crew members to take the no-pay leave scheme.
A separate report from the Straits Time noted that since that period, the airline has rolled out a number of initiatives to manage staff numbers.
