Germany's flagship carrier begins massive layoffs
By the end of 2020, Europe's largest aviation concern, Lufthansa, will lay off more than 29,000 employees, and will cut another 10,000 jobs in Germany in 2021 due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the Bild am Sonntag newspaper reported on Sunday. p>
The airline and its subsidiaries Eurowings, Swiss, Austrian and Brussels Airlines have cut their flights, fleet and personnel as air travel is not expected to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2025.
Citing unnamed sources in the company, the Bild am Sonntag newspaper reported that Lufthansa will cut 20,000 jobs outside Germany and sell its 7,500-person LSG catering company, which will cut the total number of employees. up to 109 000.
Another 10,000 jobs will be cut in Germany next year. The newspaper reported that it has already spent € 3 billion from the € 9 billion government bailout it received earlier this year.
An official announcement from Lufthansa Press Office is expected on Monday.
The massive layoffs came after months of negotiations in which the union accused the airline's management of seeking to cut jobs even after receiving financial aid from the German government to operate its planes.