Union: "airBaltic" plans to lay off about 100 pilots and 200 flight attendants

The Latvian national airline "airBaltic" plans to lay off approximately 100 currently employed pilots and about 200 flight attendants, the Latvian Aviation Union (LAA) informed the LETA agency.

LAA indicates that starting Saturday, October 31, "airBaltic" pilots and flight attendants will begin receiving information on whether they will retain their jobs. All flight attendant positions are planned to be reduced at the Riga base. The mentioned number of employees does not include crew members who have already voluntarily left the company since the start of the collective dismissal process.

The union claims that "airBaltic" uses the company's internal pilot and flight attendant job evaluation lists and methodology for employee selection, which have not been coordinated with the unions.

LAA informs that on October 27, "airBaltic" announced to the pilots that, with the company's fleet shrinking to 36 aircraft, approximately four out of five pilots will retain their jobs. Meanwhile, flight attendants were informed on the same day that about three out of four will retain their jobs. The lists determining the employees to be laid off are planned to be finalized on October 28.

The union points out that the company informed employees that the criteria were set after discussions with the unions. LAA, however, emphasizes that discussions included the exclusion of certain initially proposed criteria by the company, but consultations on the final criteria, their importance, and application methodology have not taken place.