British Airways' new Customer Director Tom Stevenson suggested that thousands of British Airways cabin crew could be sent home without pay if the government furlough program is not extended by September. This warning comes at a time when the industry is facing a slower recovery than anyone could have imagined. It is hampered by a chaotic travel light restriction system.After Chancellor Rishi Unak's generous furlough program ends in a few months, cabin crew and other BA workers might be forced to take long periods of unpaid leave.BA will not be able to pay some of the wage costs without the furlough program. Cabin crew were informed last week in a union memo that they are looking into temporary ways to lower the cost. The memo stated that the seat belt signs will be switched on again, as we had already said.This time, however, it will be for a brief period of turbulence and not the bumpy flight from BA2020.British Airways cut its cabin crew by around a quarter of its workforce last year. This move was criticized by lawmakers as it was seen as a drastic and unorthodox decision.Even though the company has drastically reduced its workforce, it is still believed that thousands of BA workers are dependent on the furlough payroll assistance programme.Although the airline believes that it has the right staff, when travel restrictions are lifted will be a matter of debate. British Airways had previously hoped to establish an air corridor between the UK, USA in order to kick-start its recovery. However, that seems less likely now.Talks between the UK and US governments are allegedly stuck due to a resurgence in cases in Britain, which is being driven by the highly infectious Delta virus.The UK government's terrible traffic light system for international travel has been criticized by the aviation and travel industries, fearing another lost season.The Delta variant also threatens even more severe restrictions at home. Angela Merkel, the German leader, wants the European Union (EU) to place quarantine restrictions on Brits throughout the bloc. Unanimity could limit access to fully-vaccinated travelers.Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, told parliament Wednesday that he hopes the vaccination rollout will finally allow for easier international travel.Johnson stated that Johnson hoped that the double jabs vaccine program, which is part of the vaccine rollout program, would allow people to fly and give the aviation industry hope for a long-term sustainable recovery.The industry also demanded a sector-specific bailout, including an extension of the furlough program. The Chancellor has ruled out this suggestion.British Airways spokeswoman said that today British Airways continued to plan and review its flying schedule in light of temporary travel restrictions. We are constantly discussing these changes and making adjustments with our colleagues.We ask the UK Government to use its risk-based framework to allow more low-risk countries to be opened up, to allow vaccinated persons to travel unrestricted and to provide a realistic time frame for these critical steps.
