KUALA LUMPUR – A full recovery of the aviation industry is expected once Covid-19 vaccines are accessible to the majority of countries, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Arthur Joseph Kurup (PBRS-Pensiangan) said it also depends on whether other countries are reopening their borders.
“For now, the government encourages domestic tourism, namely the travel bubble, to stimulate the aviation industry.”
He was replying to a supplementary question from Rubiah Wang (PBB-Kota Samarahan) on the industry’s chances of recovery.
On October 9, low-cost carriers AirAsia Bhd and AirAsia X Bhd announced that they would lay off 10% of their 24,000-strong workforce as a result of the pandemic.
This was followed by Malindo Air, which retrenched some 2,200 staff.
Arthur added that the unemployment rate dropped to 4.6% in September from 5.3% in May.
“It is the result of measures taken by the government through various initiatives, such as the wage subsidy programme and more.” – The Vibes, December 2, 2020
