250 jobs at risk at Birmingham Airport

Up to 250 jobs could go at Birmingham Airport because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Airport is looking at shedding 27% of its workforce as it said the loss of income was “unsustainable”.

Unions have called the job losses “premature”.

Birmingham Airport’s CEO, Nick Barton, said: “The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic at Birmingham Airport has been significant, with a passenger scenario for this financial year of 90 percent less than in 19/20.

“Whilst we have tried to protect as many jobs as possible by limiting spending and maximising the use of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the continued decline in traffic and loss of income is unsustainable.

“Maintaining employment at the same level as that prior to the pandemic is sadly not possible and it is therefore, with regret, that we must now consider resizing and restructuring the business.

“We have commenced discussions with the Union and a formal consultation with affected colleagues will begin in the coming weeks, as we consider reducing the employee headcount. This could lead to up to 250 redundancies affecting both permanent and seasonal employees.

“The last few months have been very challenging for many of our employees and we understand that this news will be disappointing, particularly whilst many remain on Furlough. However, we have had to take this difficult decision in the best interest of the business in the long-term, after what has been the most significant downturn in our history.”

Unite regional officer Peter Coulson said: “Unite will begin formal consultations with Birmingham Airport early next week.

“The challenges being faced at Birmingham Airport demonstrate why it is imperative the government hesitates no longer in providing specific support for aviation. It is the sector which has been most severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“While Unite understands the unprecedented challenges facing the aviation sector as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, this decision is premature.

“The government’s job retention scheme continues until October and with air bridges potentially opening the situation in the autumn may look very different.

“Our call to the airport is put the redundancy programme on hold.”