Staffing in air transport sector now above two-thirds of pre-pandemic level: Iswaran

The number of workers in the air transport sector is now at about two-thirds to three-quarters of the level before the pandemic, said Transport Minister S. Iswaran on Wednesday. This is up from the lows during the pandemic, with some firms in the sector facing attrition rates as high as 50 per cent. The sector is now ramping up recruitment in preparation for more travellers from Friday (April 1), when Singapore's eased border rules kick in. Iswaran, who was speaking during a visit to Changi Airport, said: "It's a significant attrition we have had, and that is because it's an inevitable consequence of the circumstances that the aviation community was in because of the virus. But all the members of the aviation community are committed to making sure that they are gearing up ahead of demand." He said that firms are recruiting workers from Singapore, Malaysia and other countries. But he also cautioned that time is needed to train the workers, and to get returning workers familiar with the new work processes. The Government had announced last week that Singapore will allow all travellers who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter the country without quarantine from Friday.<br/>