Copenhagen Airport Mulls Cutting Workforce by a Quarter Over Virus

Copenhagen (dpa) - Copenhagen Airport, Scandinavia's largest, said it is considering cutting its workforce by a quarter in wake of weaker demand for air travel following the coronavirus pandemic.

Management said on Wednesday it was to planning to commence talks with unions about a reduction of 650 full-time positions from the company's current 2,600-strong workforce.

Chief executive Thomas Woldbye said the move was necessary despite the Danish government's support packages.

He noted that "the lower level of activity" was expected to continue for some time.

"Given the current trends in air traffic flows, I'm afraid we have to accept that we're not in a position to retain the number of employees we had in pre-corona times," he said.

"It has now become clear, however, that the aviation industry will face a long-term crisis because of the coronavirus, whereas the wage compensation scheme will soon be phased out," Woldbye added.

He noted that the airport incurred an overall loss before tax of 227.9 million kroner (36 million dollars) for the six month-period of January to June, and "an even greater loss" was expected in the second half of the year.

In 2019, almost 30.3 million passengers travelled through Copenhagen Airport, Oslo Airport in Norway had 28.6 million passengers, while Stockholm Arlanda Airport had 25.6 million passengers.

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