Freight transport emerges as unexpected lifeline for Taiwan’s national carrier

Taiwan News
Date: 2020/06/23
By: Huang Tzu-ti, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China Airlines (CAL) assured investors on Tuesday (June 23) that there will be no plans to slash jobs as the coronavirus pandemic continues to take a toll on the travel industry.

Taiwan's national carrier is among the hardest-hit airlines worldwide, with passenger flights currently operating at just three to four percent capacity and average monthly revenue plummeting from NT$10 billion (US$338 million) to NT$400 million, reported UDN.

The company, though, has managed to deliver a stellar performance in the business of cargo transport, said Hsieh Shih-chien (謝世謙), chairman of CAL. The company's 18-plane cargo fleet raked in a record-breaking NT$9 billion last month, Hsieh said at a recent shareholders meeting.

The airline has implemented a range of relief measures since the outbreak of COVID-19, from 15 to 25-percent salary cuts to working hours reduction. Aimed at propping up the company’s finances, these policies are expected to be terminated by August, Hsieh stated.
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