Korean Air Lines puts most of its employees on leave

Korean Air Lines is putting more than 70 percent of its workforce on leave at reduced salaries. The forced vacations will last for six months, from April 16 through Oct. 15.

The leave will apply only to Korean Air Lines employees working in Korea. A minimum number of employees needed to maintain operations will work on rotation.

The government will pay part of their reduced salaries, said Hong Seok-yoon of the corporate communications department of Korean Air Lines.

The company has never before forced employees to go on leave. During the 1997 financial crisis, it accepted voluntary retirements.

The move is part of the airline’s recovery program, which has been undertaken to help the carrier cope with the dramatic fall in traffic due to the pandemic.

Amid the difficulties, Korean Air last week issued a desperate plea for government support, alluding to economic catastrophe if no direct funding is provided.

The airline has suspended or canceled almost all of its flights. As of last week, it was serving 15 destinations globally.

BY JIN MIN-JI [jin.minji@joongang.co.kr]