NATIONAL carrier Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) expects a strong rebound in its business, alongside smooth operations with no shortages in the workforce following the resumption of interstate travel.

Group chief marketing and customer experience officer Lau Yin May said MAB, in solidarity, kept the employment of its entire staff in preparation for a traffic rebound despite a challenging period brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The thing is that we know this is going to happen (industry shortage) and we always prepare for the demand to come back… it’s not like we can train (staff) overnight. It will take a while.

“That time (during the pandemic) many airlines did not consider that (keeping workers). It wasn’t easy (but) we’re glad that we held on to our staff,” she told reporters after a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between MAB and SEG International Group Sdn Bhd (SEGI).

Thousands of global aviation industry workers were laid off due to airlines’ financial difficulties caused by the pandemic while some others decided to retire.

Commercial airlines, especially in the United Kingdom and the United States, are currently struggling to meet the sudden hike in air passenger traffic given the lack of pilots.

MAB currently employs approximately 11,000 workers, including 1,049 pilots and 2,034 cabin crew. – Bernama, October 12, 2021.