BENGALURU (REUTERS) - IAG-owned British Airways is expected to announce suspension of about 36,000 of its employees, BBC News reported on Wednesday (April 2).

The airline has reached a broad deal with Unite union that will include suspension of jobs of 80 per cent of BA's cabin crew, ground staff, engineers and those working at head office, the news agency reported, adding that no staff were expected to be made redundant.

Talks with the union are still ongoing, British Airways said in a brief statement to Reuters.

British Airways had said on Tuesday it was temporarily suspending flights from Gatwick Airport, Britain's second-busiest airport, as the aviation sector reels under the coronavirus crisis.

South Korean budget airline Eastar Jet on Thursday (April 1) said it plans to cut about 700 out of some 1,600 jobs due to operational difficulties from the virus outbreak.

The spokesman declined comment on whether they were temporary job cuts, saying that he did not have the details.

The budget carrier is also in talks to reduce its fleet, currently consisting of 21 leased Boeing 737-800s, by 10 planes, the spokesman said.

Eastar Jet is set to be acquired by South Korean budget carrier Jeju Air, which said in early March it would take a 51 per cent stake Eastar for 54.5 billion won (S$63.4 million) with a planned deal closing date of April 29.

A spokesman for Jeju Air declined to comment on Eastar's layoff and fleet reduction plans, and said the acquisition remains on track.