Qatar Airways reduces staff at Hamad airport

Qatar Airways, one of the world’s most premium airlines, has said that there will be a temporary staff reduction of 40% at Hamad International Airport due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Reductions occurred across various areas including food and beverage, retail and ground staff, Bloomberg said in a report, quoting a spokesman. The move is being made as a short-term response in light of the reduction in passenger numbers through the airport. Affected staff will either be working at home, on leave or taking unpaid leave, just not physically in the airport, the spokesman said.

Airlines are among the hardest hit companies as the coronavirus prompts governments to restrict travel, grounding fleets and hitting profits. The Bloomberg report said the announcement comes as Dubai’s government moves to shield its flag carrier, Emirates, from the impact of the crisis by offering unspecified financial aid.