Jetstar Asia to reduce workforce by 26%, retire five A320 aircraft

Jetstar Asia plans to lay off up to 180 people in Jul-2020, accounting for 26% of the carrier's workforce (Straits Times/Today Online/HRM Asia/Business Times, 25/26-Jun-2020). It also plans to retire five A320 aircraft bringing the carrier's total fleet to 13. CEO Bara Pasupathi stated: "There is no doubt that the travel market will look very different moving forward, so it is imperative that we change and adapt". He added: "Singapore and Changi Airport remain a strategic footprint for Jetstar Asia and the Qantas Group, and we look forward to growing passenger numbers further through innovation and enhancing the customer experience". Qantas Group, which owns 49% of Jetstar Asia, detailed a COVID-19 recovery plan spanning three years, which includes reducing the group's workforce by at least 6000 people.