NEW DELHI, Feb 25: German airline Lufthansa has terminated the services of 103 India-based flight attendants after they allegedly sought “job assurance” from the company when the latter offered them leave without pay option for two years.

Lufthansa has cited pandemic and the consequent financial crisis as the reason for the termination. Trade union activity has also contributed to the decision for revoking consent to unpaid leave. The Indian cabin crew union is in a court case against Lufthansa management for unfair labour practices since 2017, it is learnt.

Lufthansa told Businessline, it “regrets to confirm that it will not be extending the fixed-term employment contracts of its Delhi-based flight attendants. We exhausted every possible option and had even already reached an agreement with the Indian union (with whom) we were in close consultation at all times. It would have avoided compulsory redundancies for our cabin staff.”

The company said in a statement, "Lufthansa regrets to confirm that it will not be extending the fixed-term employment contracts of its Delhi-based flight attendants. The severe financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic leaves Lufthansa no choice but to restructure the airline. This includes personnel-related measures in Germany and Europe as well as in key international markets like India. Given our current cash burn of several hundred million euros every month, Lufthansa - like all airlines worldwide - must take steps to secure its future. Since we must plan with 150 fewer aircraft in the long run (by 2025) it follows that required cabin staff in all our markets is also affected.

"We had signed an agreement with the Indian union providing for two years of unpaid leave, with Lufthansa continuing to provide the local health insurance - even for enrolled family members," the statement added.