Qatar Airways is advertising for cabin crew positions, with more staff likely to be needed ahead of hopefully busy rest of the year. However, the roles are only open on a rehire basis to former cabin crew members that it had previously let go amid the coronavirus pandemic.
A new job listing
As the airline industry looks to prepare for what it hopes will be a summer of recovery, Qatar Airways is making preparations of its own. The Qatari flag carrier and oneworld member now has a listing on its careers website titled ‘Rejoining Qatar Airways Cabin Crew | 2021.’ These positions have been set aside for employees that the airline previously had to let go.
Such cuts have been widespread since the onset of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has decimated passenger demand and, subsequently, airline schedules. This, in turn, has forced carriers worldwide to make layoffs to save money in an unpredictable market.
Clearer skies ahead
However, Qatar Airways is now hopeful for a more stable future. Indeed, last month, it also began rehiring pilots ahead of planned schedule increases. The airline states:
“As the market conditions are improving and our network is growing, we are now in a better position to bring back our valued former Cabin Crew, Qatar Airways’ Ambassadors to the world. We are prioritizing highly motivated former Cabin Crew who can deliver our legendary hospitality and world-class service.”
As it stands, Qatar Airways plans to allow applications to come in until July 24th. However, high-demand listings in the travel sector can sometimes close early if they prove particularly popular. While it is impossible to know, this may prove to be the case here, with the airline’s former cabin crew surely desperately eager to return to the skies to do what they love.
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In the listing for the Doha-based role, Qatar Airways takes time to acknowledge its achievements amid the health crisis and the commitment of its staff, stating:
“Thank you for your commitment to Qatar Airways, an airline that has never stopped flying and remained resilient throughout the pandemic.”
Cabin crew forced to adapt
The last 15 months or so have been a rough ride for cabin crew at airlines worldwide, with employees in this division at Qatar Airways also having had to adapt in the face of the crisis. Indeed, Simple Flying reported last August that the carrier’s otherwise inactive cabin crew would be deployed to work alongside customer service colleagues.
This saw them provide support at the contact center, integrating two departments that have different roles but serve the same purpose of helping passengers. In Qatar Airways’ own words, it has “adapted since the beginning of the pandemic, (…) continuing to redefine our levels of safety, comfort, and service,” and this is certainly an example of this ethos.
What do you make of Qatar Airways’ drive to rehire its former cabin crew members? Do you know of any other airlines running similar recruitment programs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.