Airlines Cut 3,000 Employees Due to COVID-19

It has been revealed that the number of airline employees decreased by more than 3,000 during the COVID-19 period.

On the 5th, a compilation of last year's business reports from Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, T'way Air, Jin Air, and Air Busan, all listed on the stock market, showed that the total number of employees at these six airlines was 34,192 last year. This is a decrease of 3,038 employees (8.16%) compared to 37,230 in 2019.

The number of airline employees has continuously declined since 2019. In 2020, when COVID-19 fully broke out, there were 36,063 employees, and in 2021, 34,874 employees. The year with the highest number of employees leaving was 2021, with a total decrease of 1,186 employees. This was followed by 1,167 in 2020 and 682 in 2022.

By airline, Korean Air saw the largest decrease, dropping from 19,063 employees in 2019 to 17,746 in 2022, a reduction of 1,317 employees. This was followed by Asiana Airlines (811), Jeju Air (473), Air Busan (215), Jin Air (187), and T'way Air (35).

T'way Air, however, increased its number of employees from 2,131 in 2021 to 2,275 in 2022. With the introduction of the large A330-300 aircraft last year, T'way Air needed more personnel and hired various positions including cabin crew and maintenance staff.

The decrease in airline employees was due to the closure of air routes caused by COVID-19. With international flights grounded, airlines had no capacity to hire new staff. Additionally, the Employment Retention Subsidy played a role. This subsidy is a system where the government supports part of the leave allowance when employers facing temporary business difficulties maintain employment by implementing leave or furloughs. To receive this subsidy, except for special positions, new hires are not allowed.

This year, the total number of airline employees is expected to increase. As airlines are introducing new aircraft in line with the resumption of international flights, more related personnel are needed. In February, Jin Air conducted new hiring for the first time in 4 years and 7 months, and Jeju Air for the first time in 3 years and 4 months. Korean Air resumed hiring last October after 3 years. Additionally, T'way Air has been conducting open recruitment for new general employees and experienced workers in various positions since last month.