Malaysia's AirAsia looks to lay off staff - Bernama

Malaysia's flagship budget airline AirAsia Group Bhd AIRA.KL are looking at laying off hundreds of employees, as it sought to cope with the coronavirus pandemic, state news agency Bernama reported on Monday. Both its Malaysian unit and long-haul arm, AirAsia X Bhd AIRX.KL plan to cut some hundreds of staff each, Bernama reported, citing a source who attended separate town hall sessions held by both units on Monday. AirAsia did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment. Affected staff will be informed within 72 hours, and AirAsia Malaysia will provide them assistance such as medical benefits and flight coupon redemptions year-end. CEO Riad Asmat said the airline group had reached out to the government but had not received any feedback. Those retrenched will then be rehired once the airline rides through the pandemic. Remaining staff will not have to take pay cuts. Meanwhile, AirAsia X will undergo a wider retrenchment exercise involving technical staff and cabin crew, on a “last in, first out” basis.<br/>