Airlines

Europe’s 2nd-biggest airline Lufthansa plans to hire 20,000 new workers as the aviation industry battles pandemic staff shortages

Lufthansa plane was delayed 8 hours after it diverted twice

As the travel sector continues to be in a state of chaos, Lufthansa Europe’s second-largest airline by passenger volume plans to hire close to 20,000 employees by the end of next year. 8,000 employees who left during the epidemic will be replaced along with 12,000 new employment, according to a representative for the firm, which runs a number of airlines, including Swiss and Austrian Airlines.

The majority of the posts would be in operational fields, including crews, ground staff, technical, and catering, according to Lufthansa, which confirmed the hiring intentions.

The combination of rising travel demand and a diminished workforce as a result of widespread layoffs during the pandemic has been difficult for Lufthansa to manage. Passengers have experienced disruptions as a result of subsequent flight cancellations.

The German economy may be negatively impacted by a probable recession, thus Lufthansa won’t operate at pre-pandemic capacity levels next year. Spohr stated in the conference that “we have no plans to depart the profitability we gained in the second quarter,” adding that July and August were both excellent months for Lufthansa.

In an investor presentation at the beginning of August, Spohr stated that Lufthansa planned to hire 5,000 new staff in the second half of 2022 and a similar number in 2023.The airline is set to hire double the number of employees next year than originally stated.

According to a press release from the Vereinigung Cockpit union on Monday, the recruiting boom announcement coincides with the second strike over compensation by Lufthansa pilots as many weeks. Last week’s protest compelled the German airline to cancel hundreds of flights.

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Airlines

Qantas Engineers Stage Walkout Over Cost of Living Concerns

Tensions at Qantas reached new heights as base maintenance workers in Brisbane walked out of a hangar meeting hosted by the airline’s CEO, Vanessa Hudson.

The walkout was a clear display of displeasure and aimed to send a strong message to the company’s management about the growing frustrations within the workforce. The workers, represented by the Qantas Engineers Alliance, have been pushing for wage increases that reflect the rising cost of living.

In an open display of displeasure, Qantas Base maintenance workers walked out of a hangar meet hosted by the CEO Vanessa Hudson in Brisbane, also aimed to send a message to the management.

Qantas Engineers Alliance members have been demanding decent wage increases to match with… pic.twitter.com/y9EVjc46VM— FL360aero (@fl360aero) September 14, 2024

Despite ongoing discussions, the employees feel that their concerns have been overlooked, leading to this public show of dissent. The hangar meeting, meant to foster dialogue and address employee concerns, instead became the stage for a visible demonstration of dissatisfaction as the workers exited in unison.

For some time, the engineers and maintenance staff have expressed frustration over wage stagnation amid increasing inflation and living costs. Their demand is simple: a decent and fair wage adjustment that keeps pace with economic realities. The walkout underscores the workers’ determination to stand firm on their request for better pay and fair treatment.

As Qantas navigates its recovery post-pandemic, this incident highlights the growing internal challenges the airline faces, especially concerning its workforce. The maintenance staff’s actions have put additional pressure on the company’s leadership to address the wage concerns and avoid further escalation.