Qatar Airways encourages former pilots to apply for return

Qatar Airlines has reportedly informed its pilots who were laid off during the pandemic that they might apply for rejoining the air carrier as it expects to increase services on the Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft.

In the letter to the former flight crew seen by Sky News, Qatar Airways allegedly announced that it was focused to increase services, meaning that it would potentially need more pilots. The airline reportedly encouraged its former pilots to apply for the job asking the former staff to respond immediately. However, even if true, the doubts have ignited whether the airline would rehire them in worse conditions than before the crisis.

As the passenger levels dropped for airlines worldwide due to the pandemic, Qatar Airways had laid off a significant number of its pilots. However, the airline is reportedly eyeing the extension of its Boeing fleet, suggesting that it will shortly need staff to fly on the Boeing 777 and the 787.

The current Qatar Airways Boeing fleet consists of 9 Boeing 777-200s, 48 Boeing 777-300ERs (of which one jet is parked), and 24 Boeing 777 freighters. In addition, the air carrier operates 37 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, the Planespotters.com data shows.

In January 2021, Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker pointed out that the airline would continue to take all ordered aircraft both from Boeing as well as from Airbus despite his previous concerns that all new jet deliveries might be frozen until 2022.