Group chief marketing and customer experience officer Lau Yin May said MAB kept its entire staff in preparation for traffic rebound despite a challenging period brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We knew this could happen (workforce shortages) and we prepared for the demand … It’s not like we can train (employees) overnight.

“During the pandemic, many airlines did not consider keeping their workers. It wasn’t easy (but) we’re glad that we held on to our staff,” she told reporters after the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the airline and SEG International Group Sdn Bhd (SEGi).

Also present was SEGi chief executive officer Stella Lau.

Thousands of global aviation industry workers were laid off due to airlines’ financial difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and travel restrictions.

Now that the restrictions have been lifted, commercial airlines, especially in Britain and the United States, are struggling to meet the sudden hike in air passenger traffic given the lack of pilots.

MAB currently employs approximately 11,000 workers, including 1,049 pilots and 2,034 cabin crew.

On the MoU, Lau said it would complement both MAB and SEGi’s business strategies to develop the best talents globally.

“As the national carrier, our role expands beyond just providing airline services but also recognising the need to prepare for future-ready talents and building a pipeline of innovators to serve the aviation or travel industry,” she added.

The MoU focuses on wide-ranging initiatives, including a student internship and placement programme, the hosting of industrial visits and co-organising events, the development of a blended academic agenda, joint-research activities and cross-marketing and promotional activities.

SEGi students also would benefit from the airline’s digitised student travel programme in the form of flight discounts and Enrich points reward on education fees.

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