Coronavirus Effect Air Deccan Ceases Operations And Sent Employees on Sabbatical Without Pay

The first Indian aviation company to succumb to the coronavirus crisis, Air Deccan announced that it is ceasing its operations until further notice. Issuing a notification, the airliner said that all its employees are being put on sabbatical leave without any pay.

The development comes at a time when almost all the airlines – domestic and international – have halted their operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

Writing an email to his employees, Air Deccan CEO Arun Kumar Singh said, “In view of the recent global and domestic issues and subsequent directive by the Indian regulator (to suspend all commercial passenger flights till April 14), Air Deccan has no choice but to cease its operations until further notice.”

He further stated in the email that all existing employees of Air Deccan (permanent, temporary and contractual) are being put on sabbatical without pay with immediate effect.