Air Berlin to cut 1,200 jobs

[BERLIN] Struggling Air Berlin, Germany's second-largest airline, announced Wednesday a major restructuring plan that shrinks its fleet and cuts 1,200 jobs.

In a statement, the loss-making company said it planned to "concentrate its core operations as a dedicated, focused network carrier serving higher-yielding markets, from its two key hubs in Berlin and Dusseldorf".

Air Berlin said it would provide up to 40 Airbus 320 aircraft to rival Lufthansa, the leading German carrier. It would operate up to 38 of the planes under a six-year agreement beginning in 2017.

"Fewer staff will be required, with up to 1,200 positions becoming redundant," Air Berlin said in its statement.

Air Berlin said it would operate a core fleet of 75 aircraft from Berlin and Dusseldorf beginning in mid-2017. The carrier had a fleet of 144 planes in June.

Air Berlin also announced it would separate its touristic business into an independently operating business unit "as strategic options are evaluated".

Lufthansa separately announced the same 40-aircraft deal, saying it will allow its budget airline Eurowings "to significantly expand its capacities and strengthen its position in the European point-to-point air transport market."

The final agreement is expected to be concluded in the fourth quarter of this year, Lufthansa added, and is subject to the companies' supervisory boards and competition authorities.

Air Berlin chief executive Stefan Pichler said the restructuring plan was necessary due to "significant external market pressures which dictate a change to our current complicated business model."

"We have to make reductions but we will aim to do so in a supportive manner, offering new opportunities to employees where possible," he added in the statement.

The company plans to concentrate on it profitable long-haul business which will be expanded with new routes and additional frequencies, particularly to the United States.

Last year the company suffered a record loss of 447 million euros (S$682.7 million).

The company has only survived until now thanks to regular cash injections from Etihad, one of the fast-growing Gulf carriers, which owns 29.1 per cent of its shares.

AFP