Airline Industry Unions: "Desperate Crisis Due to COVID-19... Urgent Need for Massive Government Support"

Press Conference in Front of Cheongwadae... "All Possible Measures Including Financial Support from National Policy Banks Must Be Mobilized"

The Korea Pilots Labor Union Federation and the National Federation of Labor Unions held a joint press conference of aviation industry labor unions titled "Aviation Industry in Crisis, Urging Government Support" on the 14th in front of the Blue House Fountain in Jongno-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Workers in the aviation industry, facing the risk of mass bankruptcies due to the COVID-19 pandemic, have once again urged the government for swift financial support.

The Korea Federation of Pilots' Unions and the National Federation of Labor Unions held a joint press conference at 11 a.m. on the 14th at the Blue House Fountain Plaza, emphasizing, "Before it is too late, all possible measures must be mobilized to help airlines endure the current crisis, including financial support through national policy banks, loan guarantees for commercial banks, tax reductions, and wage subsidies."

The Korea Federation of Pilots' Unions is composed of seven pilot unions, including the Korean Air Pilots' Union and Asiana Pilots' Union. The National Federation of Labor Unions includes the Korea Airport Labor Union, World Unitech Labor Union, and EK Manpower Labor Union, among others.

At the press conference, they appealed that the aviation industry is facing an existential crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They stated, "The aviation and airport industry is a national key industry employing about 80,000 directly and approximately 250,000 related workers, and has grown as a pillar of our economy alongside the development of Incheon Airport. However, recently, Incheon Airport has seen a more than 95% decrease in passengers, turning it into an aircraft parking lot rather than an airport, and each airline is struggling with deficits and implementing company-wide rotational leave for all employees."

They continued, "The global COVID-19 crisis shows signs of prolonged duration, and it is impossible to predict when it will subside. The aviation industry is organically connected with numerous occupations and tasks across various fields, so the bankruptcy of one airline causes ripple effects on many ground service companies and even leads to mass bankruptcies among subcontractors of those companies."

Choi Hyun, co-chairman of the Korean Air Pilots Union, is speaking at the "Joint Press Conference of Aviation Industry Labor Unions Urging Government Support for the Crisis in the Aviation Industry" held on the 14th in front of the Blue House Fountain in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The unions called for ▲swift government financial support ▲job security for Eastar Jet employees ▲temporary relaxation of pilot qualification maintenance conditions due to prolonged suspension of operations ▲application of special employment support status to ground service partner companies ▲implementation of a 'Dismissal Restriction Act' for workers at airports nationwide.

Above all, they argued that proactive support similar to that of major countries like the U.S. and Europe is necessary. They said, "Looking at overseas financial support cases, the U.S. provided 74 trillion won, France 60 trillion won, and Germany unlimited loans, along with comprehensive support measures including direct subsidies and tax exemptions. Government support must be expanded to all ground service companies in airport areas struggling due to halted flight operations to protect the aviation industry on the brink of collapse."

They also urged measures regarding Eastar Jet, which has suspended all routes since the 25th of last month for a month. The unions stated, "The actual owner of Eastar Jet is running for the National Assembly, and the owner's family is cashing out by selling shares, while the government is blocking loans and encouraging restructuring. The government's call for self-help efforts is essentially pressure on airlines to restructure, so now the government must support all airlines unconditionally."

Furthermore, they expressed the position that pilot qualification maintenance conditions should be temporarily relaxed in preparation for the prolonged suspension of airline operations. They said, "If the suspension extends beyond May, a significant number of pilots are expected to face difficulties maintaining their qualifications. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport should conduct a full survey of each airline's suspension status, outlook, and training equipment to actively address the issue of mass pilot qualification loss."

In addition, they argued that partner companies should be designated as special employment support sectors to respond to the prolonged economic downturn caused by COVID-19, and that all airport areas nationwide should be designated as employment crisis zones. They also demanded the introduction of a 'Dismissal Restriction Act' that strengthens the requirements for business-related layoffs under the Labor Standards Act for workers at airports nationwide.

They concluded the press conference by saying, "We hope each government ministry will refer to overseas cases and prepare large-scale support measures." After the conference, the unions delivered an open letter containing these demands to the Blue House.