Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced on February 2, that 30% or 2,300 of its employees would be laid off by mid-March. It is part of PAL’s recovery plan to survive the pandemic, which severely hit the global airline industry.

The program covers both voluntary separations and involuntary retrenchment. The affected personnel will continue to be employed until mid-March 2021.

“This has been an extremely difficult and painful decision. For our colleagues who are leaving, rest assured that we are committed to support you through this transition,” said PAL president Gilbert Santa Maria.

“We extend to you our deepest gratitude for your years of hard work and dedicated service, and we will always cherish the ties you have established with the PAL family.”

PAL said it would help affected employees with job replacement.

Despite the reduction in employment, the flag carrier has announced it will gradually increase the number of international and domestic flights as demand recovers.

In addition to regular scheduled flights, the flag carrier continues to mount special repatriation flights to help bring home stranded Filipinos from the Middle East, Europe, North America and all of Asia.

“In addition to regular scheduled services, the flag carrier continues to mount special repatriation flights to help bring home stranded Filipinos from the Middle East, Europe, North America and all over Asia,” PAL said in a statement.

PAL likewise operates all-cargo services to meet the essential cargo transport needs of the public and support economic supply chains.

The airline will will also be supporting the transportation of COVID-19 vaccines, once available.