I detect some resentment in the air...
How does an airline and its group of companies which has lost nearly half of its pax load recover from this crisis?
Releasing the expats first are just another one of the many cost cutting measures being taken. I'm no company stooge to defend the sacking (or maybe "release") of staff but I've seen the extent of their cost cutting measures. Have you walked through an office corridor that is only half-lit in the afternoon so the company can save on its electricity bill? Even the bird logo signboard has been switched off at night.
So far we seem to be only talking about the flight crew - what about the other lower graded - but certainly not any lesser - staff who have been let go, and particularly those who sit in fear of losing their jobs? Rumours are flying around hard and fast about a paycut of up to 20%.
These are uncertain times and my sympathies go out to those who have lost their jobs. I'm just buckling up to weather the storm... Who knows what the future will bring?