British Airways is in talks to temporarily lay off around 32,000 staff in response to the coronavirus pandemic, it was reported today.
The national carrier has cut flights and warned it will need to cut jobs to survive the outbreak as the battered aviation sector frantically seeks to cut costs.
The BBC reported that BA had been negotiating with the Unite trade union and was close to agreeing that up to 80% of cabin crew, ground staff, engineers and office staff will have their jobs put on hold. No staff are expected to be made redundant but it is thought they will be furloughed on 80% of wages under the Government's job retention scheme.
On Tuesday, the airline suspended all flights to and from Gatwick, Britain's second largest airport.
BA has already reached an agreement for pilots, who have their own trade union, to take a 50% pay cut. Willie Walsh, chief executive of parent comopany IAG, has taken a 20% reduction until he leaves as scheduled in June.
