Airlines

China offers visa-free entry for 6 Countries

China announced on Friday that, in an effort to attract more visitors for business and tourism, it will grant visa-free entry to citizens of five European nations as well as Malaysia.

France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysian nationals will be able to enter China without a visa for a maximum of 15 days as of December 1. The trial programme will run for a full year.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that the goal is “to facilitate the high-quality development of Chinese and foreign personnel exchanges and high-level opening up to the outside world.”

Norway’s citizens are now able to travel to 54 countries without a visa, according to a recent expansion by China earlier this month. In October, China’s aviation regulations announced that in the following five months, there will be 16,680 weekly flights, with passenger flights accounting for 71% of all flights four years prior.

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Airlines

German Carrier Lufthansa Plans for 20% Job Cuts in Administration

Lufthansa Airlines is reportedly planning significant job cuts in its administrative workforce. According to Manager Magazin, the German carrier intends to reduce administrative positions by 20% as part of its cost-cutting measures amidst an anticipated decline in earnings.

This reduction could impact approximately 400 jobs, the report revealed. While Lufthansa has not directly commented on the layoffs, the airline confirmed its goal of cutting administrative costs by 20% by 2028.

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The strategy involves leveraging digital technologies, including artificial intelligence and automation. “A hiring freeze is currently in place for administrative roles at Lufthansa Airlines,” said a company spokesperson.

The staff reduction is expected to occur through natural attrition and age-related turnover, rather than forced layoffs. The internal projection cited by the magazine warns that Lufthansa could face an operating loss of €800 million ($843.92 million) by 2026 if no corrective measures are taken.

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The report highlights the challenges companies face in aligning workforce requirements with current and future demands. Failure to adapt could necessitate drastic actions, such as restructuring and layoffs, which carry significant repercussions for both the organization and its employees.

As Lufthansa navigates these challenges, the airline appears committed to balancing cost efficiency with digital transformation to maintain its competitiveness in a rapidly evolving industry.