Chinese airline lays off S. Korean flight attendants while retaining those from China, Japan, and Europe

China Eastern Airlines was found to have laid off 73 South Korean flight attendants in March of last year without an explanation while retaining those from China, Japan, and Europe through paid leave.

The said South Korean flight attendants have sued the Chinese airline at the Seoul Central District Court to annul the layoffs.

The airline first asked the South Korean flight attendants to apply for paid leave to avail of employment subsidies from the government but then decided not to renew the contracts.

China Eastern Airlines is among major foreign airlines with a high proportion of South Korean employees.

According to Rep. Chung Il-young of the ruling Democratic Party, China Eastern Airlines has 70 South Korea to China flights every month, all staffed with Chinese flight attendants.

Meanwhile, other South Korean flight attendants who are still employed are not given flight assignments.