The cargo division of Lufthansa said it was necessary to retain part of the reduction – until 28 February 2011 – as the measure will enable the company to continue to flexibly adjust its staffing capacities to match declining demand in the air cargo business. Executive Board members and senior executives will also continue to take a voluntary pay cut while the measure remains in force.
“The crisis is not yet over. The latest positive developments in our traffic figures still reflect a significant drop in cargo volume compared with the pre-crisis period. It will take still some time to return to the level we achieved in 2007 or 2008. Overall, the global air freight industry has lost four years of growth due to the crisis,†said Lufthansa Cargo executive board member, Peter Gerber.
Gerber added that should the market demand grow sharply, the short-time working can be discontinued at any time before the 2011 date. About 2,600 ground staff employed by Lufthansa Cargo in Germany have been on shorttime working since 1 March 2009.