Singapore Airlines Offers Unpaid Leave to Attendants

Singapore Airlines is offering three months of voluntary unpaid leave to cabin crew as it seeks to cut costs amid rising competition in the region. The carrier is asking some of its flight attendants to take the leave from September, it said in an emailed response to questions on Friday. The airline had 8,356 cabin crew at the end of March, according to its annual report, Bloomberg reported. “Having temporary surpluses or deficits of cabin crew is not unusual due to the nature of our business,” a Singapore Airlines spokesman said.  “This voluntary scheme over a specific period of time is to ensure that we efficiently manage crew resources and operational requirements. The intention is to offer it from time to time going forward.” Singapore Airlines is reviewing its business amid intensifying competition from Middle East airlines and budget carriers.