Dubai – Mubasher: Air Arabia, listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), has cut 57 jobs to protect the company from the economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, according to Reuters.

With around 2,000 employees, the carrier has not determined the departments which are affected by this decision.

Since March, COVID-19 has pushed the countries around the world to suspend flights in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus.

The company's spokesman said: "It is unfortunate that we had to take the decision to lay off a small number of our staff this week. This is the first time in our history that we were forced to do so taking into consideration the current market realities." 

He added: "We will continue to do everything possible to safeguard our employees by keeping layoffs to the minimum and only as a last resort."