London City Airport begins consultation with staff over job cuts

Saturday, 14 Sep, 2020 0

London City Airport has announced restructuring plans, which it says are essential to safeguard the airport in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

The airport has officially opened consultation with staff to explore ways of reducing costs, including voluntary redundancy. The proposals could result in up to 239 roles being lost across the organisation, which amounts to one in three jobs.

London City Airport suspended commercial flights at the height of the pandemic on 25 March, because of the sharp contraction in international travel.

Flights resumed on 21 June, but passenger numbers have remained well below 2019 levels and this is expected to continue during the upcoming winter season.

Robert Sinclair, CEO of London City Airport, said: "It is with huge regret that we are announcing this restructuring programme today and our thoughts are with all of our highly valued staff and their families.

"The aviation sector is in the throes of the biggest downturn it has ever experienced as a result of the pandemic. We have held off looking at job losses for as long as possible, but sadly we are not immune from the devasting impact of this virus.

"Our focus in the coming weeks is to help all staff through this exceptionally difficult period. We are committed to playing our part in rebuilding a stronger local and national economy once the worst of the downturn passes and believe that the difficult decisions we are taking now will enable the airport to bounce back in a better shape when growth returns."

The airport has already cut all non-essential spending. Last month it also announced a temporary pause to the airport’s £500 million development programme, including a new terminal extension. Major projects already underway will be completed as planned by the end of this year, providing increased capacity for when demand returns.

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Lisa

Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.

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