Air Berlin Managers, Pilots Agree Pay Cuts

February 7, 2016

Managers and pilots at Air Berlin have agreed to pay cuts as the German airline tries to reduce costs.

About 80 managers will see their remuneration cut by between 5 and 10 percent this year, and the pilots will also make a contribution to the latest cost cutting effort, a spokesman said.

According to German magazine Der Spiegel, the 1,250 pilots are waiving a 4 percent 2016 pay increase and will vote in the autumn on whether to also give up a salary increase in 2017.

The airline, 29 percent owned by Etihad, is trying to return to profit after years of losses, with new chief executive Stefan Pichler examining the carrier's network and fleet in a bid to bring down costs.

The board has also decided to change the policy for overtime hours, which will be compensated for in free time rather than extra pay.

(Reuters)