The national carrier Tunisair has announced the dismissal of more than 1,000 workers, as part of a restructuring plan.
During a press conference held on Thursday evening, on the sidelines of the reception of a new aircraft called “Sbeitla” of the Airbus A320 NEO type, the CEO of Tunisair Khaled Chelly indicated that the dismissal process will extend to a period of two to three years, reported Agence Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP/official).
Khaled Chelly explained that this measure comes “as part of a series of global reforms, which the national airline wishes to carry out, during the next period, in order to reduce expenses and comply with international air transport standards”.
According to him, the reforms relate to financial rehabilitation, namely “the increase in the capital of the air carrier, the cancellation of unprofitable lines and the concentration on profitable lines”.
The new strategy also covers the opening of “airlines serving the African continent, the strengthening of the Montreal line (Canada) and the improvement of all services intended for the traveler”.
Tunisair also intends to strengthen its human resources by providing continuous training.
Asked about the departure of Tunisian pilots to foreign companies because of the difficult financial situation, “Chelly explained that for 20 years, a certain number of pilots have left Tunisair as part of a secondment and not a permanent departure”, said argues TAP.
Recall that the national company Tunisair has just strengthened its fleet by acquiring a new plane called “Sbeitla” of the Airbus A320neo type.
The cost of the aircraft, estimated at more than 750 million dinars (approximately €230 million), will ensure longer distance flights than the A 320 type aircraft currently used by the company. It will thus offer a wireless Internet service (W-FI) and a state-of-the-art entertainment system.
