New Airline StarLux Recruits Pilots Amid the Pandemic

Starlux Airlines’ first Airbus A321neo at Airbus’ facility. The airline has placed an order for the A330neo. (Photo: Starlux Airlines)

[ News ]May 27, 2020 3:49 am ET

By Pete Ainsley

After months of the global pandemic, the aviation industry is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Taiwan-based StarLux Airlines has announced the recruitment of new pilots amid the global pandemic. In the meantime, the airline is planning to hire retired military pilots later this year.

According to Glenn Chai, General Manager of the airline, StarLux will reinforce its team amid the global pandemic and let the business get back on track after the pandemic.

The airline was launched in January as the early phase of the coronavirus outbreak. StarLux provides services to Macau, Da Nang, Vietnam and Penang, Malaysia. In response to the suspension of the service in March, the airline converted its flights to cargo. According to the local media, StarLux employs over a thousand staff but no employee has been furloughed during the pandemic.

Earlier, the new airline announced the service will be resumed in June, including Macau and Penang. However, the service to Da Nang will not be resumed until the end of June. The fourth destination of the carrier, Cebu, Philippines, is proposed to launch on July 1. In addition, according to the social distancing guidelines, the airline confirmed all middle seats on its aircraft will be blocked from passenger use.

In the meantime, the pandemic hasn’t stopped StarLux from expanding its route map. The airline is planning to expand its services to Japan, a favorite country for Taiwanese tourism. But the new route will only commence once conditions following the coronavirus outbreak are under control and the travel restrictions are lifted. It is revealed that Osaka, Fukuoka and Okinawa are the potential new destinations.

StarLux owns three aircraft at the moment and two A321neo will be joined the fleet by the end of the year, the new aircraft will operate these future Japanese routes. Also, 12 aircraft, including A350 is expected to be delivered in the next year.