Last spring, the airline BRA gave notice of layoffs to over 350 employees due to reduced demand for domestic flights. It is now clear that some of BRA's domestic traffic will be handled with planes and personnel from the German airline WDL Aviation.
The end of March will mark the end of many of the 363 employees at the airline BRA who were given notice of layoffs in April last year. As of April 1, the German airline WDL Aviation will take over some of BRA's domestic traffic, with new employment conditions compared to the current organization.
”"It is well known that domestic air travel has decreased by 9-10 percent, and that costs have skyrocketed for jet fuel, airport fees and new taxes. At the same time, the Swedish krona is weak against the dollar and euro," says Jim Hofverberg, head of communications for the airline BRA.
He also points out that the company's current and old jet aircraft must be replaced soon.
”Buying new jets for our business is enormously costly, as in addition to the aircraft themselves, there are costs for operation, maintenance, administration and so on,” says Jim Hofverberg.
The negative trend in the domestic aviation market is considered to be putting too big a hole in BRA's wallet. Therefore, the airline has chosen a solution where it leases both personnel and aircraft.
”"We will lease flight capacity as a complete solution: with aircraft, maintenance, service, repairs, insurance, scheduling, administration and staffing. We have also agreed that those working on board will be Swedish-speaking," says Jim Hofverberg.
A total of 10 Avro RJ jets are to be replaced starting in April. The new aircraft, Brazilian Embraer 190s with space for 100 passengers per plane, are formally leased from German Airways but will be operated by WDL Aviation. Both German companies are part of the family-owned Zeitfracht Group, based in Berlin.
Approximately 200 of a total of 363 laid-off people at BRA have reportedly been offered new jobs.
”As we understand it, all 200 have accepted, of which 50 will continue to be employed within our separate propeller aircraft business,” says Jim Hofverberg.
According to information provided to HD and Sydsvenskan, the conditions in the German regime mean that BRA employees who take up the offer must take a pay cut.
”"We have no insight into what the salary and conditions are like in the German company. In our tender process, we required that there should be Swedish-speaking staff on board and that there should be a collective agreement," says Jim Hofverberg.
Source: di.se
