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Jobs lost as question mark hangs over airport development
A question mark hangs over multi-million pound investment plans for London Ashford Airport (Lydd), bosses admit.
Continued uncertainty surrounding the future development of the airport in Kent has forced the loss of 19 jobs and a further six at subsidiary FAL Aviation. The airport, which employs 77 staff, has had to make cost savings by restructuring and merging departments.
The airport has two planning applications before Shepway District Council for a new terminal building and a runway extension. Lydd expects to create “large numbers” of jobs as part of an economic boost for the county.
Managing director Zaher Deir said he deeply regretted the redundancies but the airport could not continue to sustain the current level of operating losses in the face of a long delay to its planning applications.
“I can understand objections from some residents and pressure groups for such a development planned at Lydd but what I cannot understand is the reluctance of local and regional authorities to act positively and to support what has already been approved as part of their structure plans,” he said.
“During the past three years we’ve privately invested more than £20 million in modernising the airport and we’ve created dozens of jobs. However, in light of the current situation where we have some residents and pressure groups who are putting all sorts of hurdles in our way, I have been forced to take a long hard look at the finances.
“Restructuring departments will produce the cost savings that we need to make but I am very saddened that it means the loss of 25 jobs between LAA and FAL Aviation out of a total workforce of 77,” said Deir, who added that staff consultations on the restructuring were continuing this week.
“Unfortunately I don’t have the luxury of unlimited time to spend years waiting for planning permission. Every project has its time and the time for the development of Lydd airport is now.”
The planning applications are for a new terminal building capable of handling up to 500,000 passengers a year and a 294-metre runway extension together with a 150-metre starter extension.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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