Given the exceptional situation created by the corona virus outbreak around the world and travel restrictions decreed by the majority of countries, Iberia is taking a number of measures affecting personnel, finance, operations, and workplace safety.
Today the airline filed a request for permission to declare temporary redundancies, initially for a three-month period, though event may make this period longer of shorter.
All company departments relating directly to flight operations will be affected by the redundancies, in proportion to the capacity reduction.
If labour authorities approve the request alleging force majeure, up to 90% of flight, handling, line maintenance, and cargo staff may be laid off for up to three months.
Up to 70% of personnel working in central services and offices, employed by the Iberia corporation or by the maintenance and handling unit, may be made redundant during the period.
Since Iberia’s maintenance unit serves numerous external clients, and under the assumption that they will remain as today, the engine shop staff will be cut to a maximum of 60%, whereas Heavy Maintenance staff may be cut by a maximum of 80% in the first two months and of 90% in the third.
Staff of the parts maintenance area may be reduced by a maximum of 70%.
Flight Programme
The company will reduce its flight programme in proportion to the travel restrictions now in place in numerous countries, including Spain.
Iberia will continue to operate some flights in order to maintain a minimum of air connectivity for Spain in the short-, medium-, and long-haul segments. This will enable Spaniards abroad to return home as quickly as possible, and also to help foreign visitors to travel home from Spain.
Iberia will be very flexible with changes and cancellations, and to facilitate them it has launched a request form on its website. Any person holding an Iberia ticket for a flight from now until 31 May can ask for a voucher worth the amount paid for the ticket, which will be valid for flights through 31 March 2021, with no restrictions with regard to dates or destinations. Likewise, there will be no penalty for changing flight reservations. See the Iberia.com website for full details.
Cost-cutting Measures
Since the start of the outbreak the company has implemented cost containment measures, encompassing a freeze on external contracting including consulting service, a ban of discretionary spending, the postponement of corporate training programmes, a freeze on marketing expenditures, etc.
Workplace Health and Safety
As soon as the corona virus emerged, Iberia has adhered scrupulously to all domestic and international health authority recommendations in order to protect the health of customers; employees, and suppliers.
The company has supplied its staff with abundant information about the corona virus illness and how to protect themselves and others in all company installations and aircraft, while doubling down on cleaning and hygiene measures, and distributing extra disinfectant soap, gels, and wipes.
Protocols have been established to deal with people showing suspicious symptoms and also with confirmed cases. Aircraft have been equipped with the means to isolate and treat people aboard.
In addition, the company has cancelled face-to-face meetings, and encourages teleworking wherever possible, supplying the equipment when necessary.
Iberia would like to thank all its customers and suppliers for their understanding and support at this difficult time, and also to thank its employees, particularly those who cannot work from home. Once again Iberia personnel are showing their sense of responsibility and their capacity to cope with the most difficult situations.
