The management of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest, said this afternoon (August 26) that about 600 jobs are at risk as it announced "company-wide restructure plans".
In a statement released to the media, bosses stated they were planning big changes in staffing to cut operating and staff costs after the "dramatic" impact that Covid-19 had had on the Sussex airport's passenger and air traffic numbers.
The airport claimed the reductions, representing nearly a quarter of all employees, are intended to "reshape" the company so it's "best placed to respond quickly to future growth".
Trade union UNITE said Gatwick's workforce had been "left reeling" by the possible redundancies.
Union leaders called the news a "bitter blow" and claimed it represented the "Government's chronic failure" to support aviation.
"Saddened but not surprised" is how one Sussex MP greeted the news.
Arundel and South Downs MP Andrew Griffith also says he's been lobbying parliament for mandatory Covid testing on arrival, as a way of helping the aviation industry.
Gatwick Airport added that it will now enter into a formal consultation process with employees.
According to management, in August, usually one of the airport's busiest months, passenger numbers were over 80% down when compared with the numbers of passengers Gatwick saw that month in 2019.
Current traffic and passenger volumes are such that Gatwick is currently operating from just its North Terminal.
Compared to this time last year, the airport is operating at around 20% of its capacity and therefore still has over 75% of its staff on the UK Government's Job Retention Scheme, which is due to end in October.
Gatwick Airport, Chief Executive Officer, Stewart Wingate said:
"If anyone is in any doubt about the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on the aviation and travel industry then today's news we have shared with our staff, regarding the proposed job losses, is a stark reminder.
"We are in ongoing talks with Government to see what sector specific support can be put in place for the industry at this time, alongside mechanisms which will give our passengers greater certainty on where and when they can safely travel abroad.
"This support will not only help Gatwick but the wider regional economy which relies on the airport.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our staff, those who have worked tirelessly to keep Gatwick open throughout the pandemic and those who have had to remain on furlough, for their dedicated tenacity, professionalism and team spirit.
"We will continue to do all we can to preserve as many jobs as possible.
"Gatwick will recover from this pandemic and we will emerge from the restructuring we are proposing a fitter and stronger organisation which is best placed to offer our passengers and our airlines a modern and innovative airport, ready for growth."
More Radio will update this breaking news story with reactions from trade unions, staff, and local political representatives when they become available.
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