Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airways have decided to extend the period of reduced pay for their staff until September as they try to preserve cash during the global coronavirus pandemic. The aviation industry has been among the worst hit by the outbreak, which has dented travel demand and forced major airlines to lay off staff and seek government bailouts. State airlines Emirates and Etihad have operated limited, mostly outbound services from the United Arab Emirates since grounding passenger flights in March. They are due to restart some connecting flights this month after the UAE last week lifted a suspension on services where passengers stop off in the country to change planes, or for refueling. Emirates Airlines told its employees on Sunday it is extending a three month wage cut due to end this month until Sept. 30. In some cases, pay cuts will also be deepened, with some basic salaries reduced by 50 percent, an email to Emirates Group employees said. The decision was made after reviewing all possible options to preserve its cash position, it said. Emirates had previously reduced basic wages by 25 to 50 percent for three months from April, with junior employees exempted. Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways has extended its salary cuts of between 25 to 50 percent to September, a spokeswoman said, as it considers all options to protect jobs and preserve cash. The airline originally reduced salaries for the month of April. Etihad last week laid off some cabin crew and its not planning any further crew redundancies. The spokeswoman said there have been redundancies across several areas of the airline, and last month sources said Etihad was planning to lay off 1,200 employees. Like other airlines, Emirates and Etihad have laid off staff due to the impact of its business. Fellow Gulf carrier Qatar Airways has said it could lay off up to 20 percent of its employees. — Agencies
