Emirates offers staff up to 6 months unpaid leave

STAFF OFFER: Cabin crew at Emirates are to be offered up to six months unpaid leave, the company confirmed on Thursday. (Getty Images)

Emirates Airline confirmed on Thursday it will offer cabin crew unpaid leave from next month.

The Dubai airline said in a statement that the option, which comes into effect on May 1, was on a “purely voluntary basis”.

It added a drop in the number of cabin crew leaving Emirates through natural attrition had led to the voluntary leave offer.

“In anticipation of our growing fleet, Emirates' recruitment efforts over the past 12 months have been highly successful in meeting our operational requirements,” an Emirates spokesperson said.

“Combined with a sharp drop in cabin crew attrition, we now find ourselves in a position to be more flexible as an employer.”

The airline also said there were limited unpaid leave slots available, depending on seniority and the aircraft type the crew works on.

“Cabin crew may opt for unpaid leave from a period of one month, up to a maximum of six months,” the spokesperson said.

“While on leave, they will still be employees of the airline, and continue to be eligible for various benefits including paid accommodation and travel concessions.

“Emirates will continue to review our operational requirements closely, and staff going on unpaid leave are fully aware that they can be recalled for duty at one week's notice."

The airline has some 12,000 cabin crew and 124 passenger planes.

It is understood Emirates is the first airline in this region to offer unpaid leave amid an economic downturn that has hit the global aviation industry.

This year, Middle East airlines are expected to post $900m losses – up from the International Air Transport Association’s $800m original forecast in 2008.

Meanwhile, IATA said the global airline industry will lose $4.7bn during the same period.

Passenger traffic in the Middle East climbed 0.4 percent in February, although this will likely be offset by increased capacity among local airlines.

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READERS' COMMENTS

spot on lamiya
Posted by Suhail, Dubai, UAE on Sunday 5 April 2009 at 00:17 UAE time


Cant agree more with Lamiya. Companies here issue statements which convey as though whatever is happening has got nothing to do with the raging economic crisis. Also wonder whether 'purely on a voluntry basis' implies the employee is called & told either you go on long unpaid leave or you're fired. The employee has to make a voluntary choice!

Wise Move
Posted by KAR on Saturday 4 April 2009 at 21:24 UAE time

What is the guarantee that Emirates will not layoff the staff after six months, once they finish their leave. Guys, it is just a wise move from Emirates to save themselves from paying huge amount in end of service benefits in this cash crisis. BTW to many ignorant people in Dubai, this tactic is the most preferred one by many construction companies around for the same reason - save cash. EK has not done nothing new. They are keeping employees in limbo, saving cash and buying time. In the end the employees will be losers.

Emirates offers staff up to 6 months unpaid leave
Posted by mag, dubai, uae on Saturday 4 April 2009 at 15:12 UAE time


personally i think its a wise move considering other employees are just laying off people without notice.....plus the crew who have been wise have saved up more than what can sustain them 6months ........kudos to emirates

Emirates offers staff up to 6 months unpaid leave
Posted by hombil, Muscat, Oman on Saturday 4 April 2009 at 12:58 UAE time


I agree with Ben, it's a good decision to allow staff take long unpaid leave, rather than retrench tarined and talented employees. This speaks of a professionally managed organization.

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