SIA cuts flying years: Captains to stop at 64, first officers at 62

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has told its pilots that from next month, first officers will have to stop flying at the age of 62 and captains at 64.

Currently, re-employment subject to criteria such as good health and conduct is offered for up to three years when pilots reach 62.

But The Straits Times has learnt that in a recent staff circular, SIA said it has decided to cut flying years due to excess manpower amid a business slowdown.

In accordance with government guidelines and SIA's re-employment agreement with its pilots' union, affected pilots will receive an undisclosed lump-sum payment when they leave the company, the airline's spokesman said.

"We have also been providing assistance to help them find alternative employment," she added.

Captain Mok Hin Choon, president of the Air Line Pilots Association- Singapore, said: "We are surprised and rather disappointed with the company's decision. The move does not seem to be in sync with the Government's overall push for re-employment."

The union has approached the Manpower Ministry for assistance and to seek clarity on the Retirement and Re-employment Act, he said.

A ministry spokesman confirmed this.

SIA's recent move is the latest among a slew of initiatives introduced in the last two years to cope with a manpower surplus.

The airline has more than 2,000 pilots but has never said how many extra crew it has.

SIA is experiencing slowerthan- expected growth following the global financial crisis which hit at the end of 2008.

The airline has so far frozen cadet pilot recruitment, cut flying hours and asked pilots to take voluntary unpaid leave.

Last year, it also told its 76 expatriate pilots that they will have to leave before their three-year contracts expire.

To cope with the slowdown in the premium and long-haul travel sector and tough competition from other full-service airlines such as Cathay Pacific and Emirates, SIA has turned its focus towards opportunities in the regional market and low-cost travel sector.

Growth plans have been unveiled for the group's regional arm SilkAir, and Scoot has also started to operate long-haul budget flights.

SIA is exploring opportunities in other markets, such as with a stake of almost 20 per cent in Virgin Australia.

It also plans to launch a new carrier in New Delhi by the end of this year in a joint venture with Indian conglomerate Tata.

Last month, SIA reported that revenue was flat at $3.87 billion for the three months to Dec 31.

SOURCE