Upon exchanging information with Tuoi Tre Online, many Vietnam Airlines flight attendants have shared that just as the aviation industry has been surrounded by numerous challenges, the flag carrier has been no exception with a sharp decline in flight frequency. Many flight attendants have proactively proposed to their leadership their willingness to work without base salary for two to three months. Flight attendant Nguyen Thi Thu Ly (Ly 7), who is working in flight attendant training as well as serving flights said that under the current situation, she has proposed her desire to serve flights as usual without receiving a base salary for three months — or even more if the pandemic continues.

This female flight attendant has added that at the moment, her salary is comprised of a base salary and payment per flight hour and that she receives average wages of VND 20-25 million/month. Accordingly, her base salary is VND 8.5 million/month, which she will not take to support the airline.

Similarly, flight attendant Hoang Ngoc Bich (Bich 3), who often works on Vietnam Airlines’ flights to Russia, Germany, etc., has also volunteered to forego her basic salary from the 1st of March until the end of May 2020. On the 17th of March, while talking with Tuoi Tre Online, Head of Vietnam Airlines’ Cabin Crew Division Phan Ngoc Linh shared that 700-800 Vietnam Airlines’ flight attendants had offered to surrender their basic salary. This was totally voluntary on their part to support the airline in this trying time. Vietnam Airlines is currently employing 3,200 flight attendants.

During a 12 to 13-hour long flight, the flight attendants wear protective suits while serving passengers (Cre: VNA).

According to the Head of VNA’ Cabin Crew Division, contracted flight attendants’ average income is approximately VND 20-25 million/month, and Alsimexco flight attendants receive VND 15-18 million/month. Despite the ongoing challenging situation, the airline stays true to its principles and will not fire its employees.

Regarding flight attendants and pilots in quarantine, they will receive 100% of their basic salary and payment per flight hour. However, these payments will be converted to hours. The duration of treatment will be counted as sick leave in accordance with the Law on Social Insurance.

Cre: Tuoi tre

Nguyen Mai Huong-COMM