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600 jobs to go at Gatwick as airport looks to shed around a quarter of its workforce
Around 600 jobs are set to go at Gatwick when the Government Job Retention Scheme ends in October.
The airport said the job cuts were part of a ‘significant’ restructure across the business to further reduce operating and staff costs.
Gatwick is looking to shed about a quarter of its workforce due to a slump in demand as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
It has entered into a formal consultation process with employees, which must last a minimum of 45 days, meaning the staff could be made redundant just before the end of the Job Retention Scheme. Currently, around 75% of staff are furloughed.
Gatwick is currently only operating from one of two terminals; it had been planning to reopen its south terminal last month, but put its plans on hold after the government announced travel restrictions to Spain.
As a result of the government introducing a mandatory 14-day quarantine period for arrivals from high risk destinations, and the Foreign Office advice against all non-essential travel to many popular summer holiday destinations, Gatwick traffic is more than 80% down this month compared with August 2019.
The airport said it had taken rapid action at the start of the lockdown in March to preserve as many jobs as it could by reducing costs, managing cash outflows, and securing a £300m bank loan.
Chief Executive Officer Stewart Wingate added: "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."
He said Gatwick was in ongoing talks with the government to see what sector specific support can be put in place for the industry. He revealed they were also discussing mechanisms to give 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," he added.
"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."
By Linsey McNeill, Editor (UK)
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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