Thai AirAsia announces mass layoff

[webfact]

 

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Thai AirAsia has announced a mass layoff and furlough extension, despite Thailand’s official reopening of borders on November 1.

 

According to Tassapon Bijleveld, executive chairman of Asia Aviation (AAV), the announcement made to the airline’s employees explained the company’s hardships and struggles during the pandemic, forcing it to scale down its fleet size and workforce, so as to keep the company afloat.

 

Mr Tassapon said due to the Covid crisis, Thai AirAsia had to maintain furloughs and pay cuts, and would assess the situation every two months and would gradually remove the cuts when its financial situation improves.

 

He added the airline had already reached the lowest point which was in the third quarter, and it estimated that domestic flights should fully recover by mid-2022, while international flights would gradually resume.

 

The best-case scenario for the airline is that 50% of international flights resume by the end of next year.

 

According to the announcement, the airline is deciding on the number of employees to be laid off and will make an official announcement next week. The company is also offering an early retirement program.

 

Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view

 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/nbtworld/posts/10158363631052050

 

-- © Copyright NBT WORLD 2021-11-20

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[grain]

Well if they're having a mass layoff I guess there's no chance of them ever giving me refunds for the 4 airline tickets I have for flights they cancelled in 2020.

[ChipButty]

4 minutes ago, grain said:

Well if they're having a mass layoff I guess there's no chance of them ever giving me refunds for the 4 airline tickets I have for flights they cancelled in 2020.

I think you know the answer to that..............?

[ChipButty]

My friend tell me this morning they have cancelled his flight from Phuket to BKK on the 2 nd Dec

[jacko45k]

6 minutes ago, grain said:

Well if they're having a mass layoff I guess there's no chance of them ever giving me refunds for the 4 airline tickets I have for flights they cancelled in 2020.

Perhaps they will send round one or two of the laid-off stewardesses by way of compensation! 

[jackdd]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

despite Thailand’s official reopening of borders on November 1.

Thailand opened its borders? Did I miss something?

 

Why would airasia lay off staff if next year millions of tourists come to Thailand, according to TAT?

[Will B Good]

What a strange decision to make......just as tourism numbers are mushrooming out of control

[PJPom]

Flying to Bangkok from Krabi next week and ended up booking Thai Lion as they were 30% cheaper than Airasia.

[steven100]

10 minutes ago, grain said:

Well if they're having a mass layoff I guess there's no chance of them ever giving me refunds for the 4 airline tickets I have for flights they cancelled in 2020.

I finally got mine back after alot of emails, twitter chat and pressure.  I will be very wary paying any hotel or airfare up front from now on.   

There is no such thing as trust. 

[Elkski]

Did they recall people to work this 4th quarter?  Was there layoff 17 months ago

[ChrisKC]

4 hours ago, jackdd said:

Thailand opened its borders? Did I miss something?

 

Why would airasia lay off staff if next year millions of tourists come to Thailand, according to TAT?

"Why would airasia lay off staff if next year millions of tourists come to Thailand, according to TAT? "  

 

Although I realise there is just a hint of sarcasm, I think they have more idea of what they believe will happen in reality when they say that their schedule will be up to 50% by the END of NEXT year!

 

 

[scorecard]

5 hours ago, jackdd said:

Thailand opened its borders? Did I miss something?

 

Why would airasia lay off staff if next year millions of tourists come to Thailand, according to TAT?

Could be several reasons; one could be a severe shortage of cash flow, and with their recent history possibly very difficult to get even short terms loans. And perhaps very poor bookings, bringing very little income, all sorely needed to pay fixed operating costs.

 

[Paul Henry]

Air Asia is laying off staff because millionaires don't fly on discount airlines and both TAT and Government have clearly stated that the target tourist are the very rich. That is also why we plebs are not travelling to Thailand for our holidays. 

[Alotoftravel]

They should rehire them as customer service rep to answer our phone calls to get assistance. 

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, grain said:

Well if they're having a mass layoff I guess there's no chance of them ever giving me refunds for the 4 airline tickets I have for flights they cancelled in 2020.

Console yourself by bumping into a "Trolley Dolly" on a street corner soon.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, jackdd said:

Thailand opened its borders? Did I miss something?

 

Why would airasia lay off staff if next year millions of tourists come to Thailand, according to TAT?

We know the answer to that.

[NanLaew]

Waiting for the first Einstein to lay the blame for this at the ongoing restrictions on pub and club opening and selling of alcohol.

[BritManToo]

If their best case is 50% of international flights by 2022 ..... what's their worst case?

[Cake Monster]

6 hours ago, jackdd said:

Thailand opened its borders? Did I miss something?

 

Why would airasia lay off staff if next year millions of tourists come to Thailand, according to TAT?

I guess they just dont believe a word TAT says.

[it is what it is]

 

clearly a consequence of thailand attracting only high end tourists who have their own private jets to fly around the country.

[ukrules]

This winter will make last winter look like a rehearsal, there's very little reason to think things will recover in 2022.

 

[zzaa09]

Well. How unexpected.

A Thai domestic struggling.

[scorecard]

7 hours ago, steven100 said:

I finally got mine back after alot of emails, twitter chat and pressure.  I will be very wary paying any hotel or airfare up front from now on.   

There is no such thing as trust. 

And the credit option. I have a large credit, but given their announcement today (which I'm guessing means their cash situation/ability to sustain the business) is very weak, will they allow me to use my credit?

 

Hoping for a Bkk to Chiang Mai flight late afternoon on 10 December. I'll wait until I get my 1 day hotel stay/negative report them book AA for flight late same day, if I can use my credit.

 

If they cancel the flight late the same day at least I haven't lost more cash.

 

If AA won't allow mw to use my credit I'm thinking ThaiSmile.

 

 

[Bangkok Barry]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

The best-case scenario for the airline is that 50% of international flights resume by the end of next year.

Says a lot, doesn't it, together with international airlines giving back 80% of their slots for the next several months. TAT can say all it likes but, as we all know, it is all hot air from them.

[itsari]

8 hours ago, steven100 said:

I finally got mine back after alot of emails, twitter chat and pressure.  I will be very wary paying any hotel or airfare up front from now on.   

There is no such thing as trust. 

Pay as you enter the plane now ? 

Pressure , umm not sure what pressure you are able to apply 

[steven100]

57 minutes ago, scorecard said:

And the credit option. I have a large credit, but given their announcement today (which I'm guessing means their cash situation/ability to sustain the business) is very weak, will they allow me to use my credit?

 

Hoping for a Bkk to Chiang Mai flight late afternoon on 10 December. I'll wait until I get my 1 day hotel stay/negative report them book AA for flight late same day, if I can use my credit.

 

If they cancel the flight late the same day at least I haven't lost more cash.

 

If AA won't allow mw to use my credit I'm thinking ThaiSmile.

 

 

Just pay a bit more a get a damn Thai smile or Nok air confirmed flight ...   won't buy unless it's a confirmed booking & flight.  They messed me around last time because it was a Flight + hotel booking so each tries to pass the buck .... They didn't pass the buck after I contacted the top boss and threatened legal action.

[steven100]

15 minutes ago, itsari said:

Pay as you enter the plane now ? 

Pressure , umm not sure what pressure you are able to apply 

believe me you can, if you know who to contact.  but you have to be smart about how you do it.

[happydreamer]

7 hours ago, Alotoftravel said:

They should rehire them as customer service rep to answer our phone calls to get assistance. 

Oh they're customer service reps...bet on that....they just aren't the phone answering type. ????

[GrandPapillon]

5 hours ago, ukrules said:

This winter will make last winter look like a rehearsal, there's very little reason to think things will recover in 2022.

 

it won't, and AirAsia knows it, don't believe government lies anymore, and calling it quit

[cheapcanuck]

9 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Waiting for the first Einstein to lay the blame for this at the ongoing restrictions on pub and club opening and selling of alcohol.

You said it Einstein.