Financial situation very challenging, LWP for staffers win-win: Air India

Air India on Friday said its financial situation is very challenging due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and its leave-without-pay (LWP) scheme for employees is a “win-win” situation for them as well as the management.

The national carrier said in a press statement that the scheme primarily enables employees to proceed on LWP “on voluntary basis”.

The airline had issued an internal order on Tuesday asking its departmental heads and regional directors to identify employees, based on various factors like efficiency, health and redundancy, who will be sent on compulsory LWP for up to five years.

“Air India is in a very challenging financial situation and is taking recourse to several initiatives with a view to ensuring the continuance of its operations,” the airline said in the statement.