British Airways Madrid base deals with the shortage of staff.
Could the aviation industry face a capacity crisis in the wake of the pandemic?
The first holidays with levels close to those of 2019 have already shown signs of this.
Understaffed airlines around the world have been faced during Easter with a large number of travellers who have had to endure long queues and disruptions on flights.
To combat the shortage of staff that has caused the worst wave of cancellations in the last decade, British Airways will create its first base abroad for short-haul flights and will do so specifically in Madrid.
British Airways Madrid base
The IAG subsidiary will open this cabin crew base to prevent the recent chaos — when tens of thousands of passengers were grounded due to the cancellation of flights due to severe staff shortages – from continuing throughout the summer, according to The Telegraph.
Overall, the airline sector was forced to lay off hundreds of thousands of workers globally during the worst months of the pandemic.
While not all companies are recovering at the same pace, the overall headcount cut has complicated the return to normalcy, as airports and airlines now must manage a surge in travel as much of the world lifts restrictions.
In statements to Australian TELEVISION picked up by Bloomberg, the executive director of Sydney Airport, Geoff Culbert, called the situation a "perfect storm".
British Airways has cancelled 1,400 flights since the beginning of April, according to flight data provider Cirium.
British Airways Madrid base disruptions
Disruption at British airports is already the worst in 10 years, experts say, as COVID-19-related absences and delays in government security vetting processes for inexperienced staff are being added to.
The British airline has already resorted to offering a 'welcome bonus' of 1,000 pounds sterling (around 1,185 euros at the current exchange rate) to attract cabin crew with security clearance from rival airlines.
According to The Telegraph, the establishment of a base in Madrid underlines the tricky situation of the airline's workforce and represents an important escalation in its fight to avoid a bad summer for its customers.
As the staff will be hired locally, the measure could put them in a collision situation with the unions, since the Spanish minimum hourly wage is well below that paid to workers in Britain (7.55 euros against 11.2 euros).
British Airways Madrid base abroad
Although it is not the first British Airways base abroad, the truth is that it is for short-haul flights.
Therefore, and according to the same medium, it is understood that the Madrid base is only a short-term measure for the summer, while the company increases its operations.
The chief executive of the British flag carrier, Sean Doyle, has sought to end a turbulent few year that have been marred by falling customer service ratings, repeated computer glitches and industrial unrest over "layoff and rehiring" tactics.
