Almost 200 cabin crew resigned from Malaysia Airlines in the year to July, many as a result of the MH17 and MH370 tragedies, the carrier has confirmed.
“Following the MH17 incident, there was a spike in crew resignations but the number has now decreased to acceptable and routinely expected levels,” MAS said in a statement to the Telegraph.
“Many cited ‘family pressure’ as the reason for their resignation due to the MH17 and MH370 tragedies,” the statement said ahead of the announcement of second quarter results today (Thursday).
An airline spokesman would not comment on rumoured crew shortages, but said the carrier’s resignation rate was “way below the industry norm”, and pointed to the company’s support for staff through counselling and special prayer sessions.
There was no comment from MAS on reports in Malaysian media that the airline’s parent company signed off on a comprehensive restructure plan that could see up to 6,000 jobs go amid record quarterly losses as high as RM600 million.
The carrier has reportedly told Australian travel agents it will pay them commission of 11% for all tickets issued in Australia until September 15 – almost double the previous 6% level.