Due to the global developments in connection with the coronavirus and the continuing restrictions on travel, Austrian Airlines is extending the short-time working model for its 7,000 employees by a further month until 19 May.

Its employees have been on short-time working since 20 March 2020, initially for one month. This had become necessary after the sharp decline in demand due to the Coronavirus, which forced Austrian to suspend its flight operations temporarily on 18 March.

The airline is already working on its new start after the crisis. An exact date is still not foreseeable, however. For this reason, the company has agreed, in coordination with the works councils, to extend short-time work for another month.

Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of Austrian Airlines said: “The model of short-time work helps us to fly through this crisis as well as possible. However, our goal remains unchanged. As soon as it is possible, we want to start flying again. Even if it will still be a long way to a new normality, we are already preparing for it with full force.”