UK Government urged to come up with strategy to help aviation industry amid concerns over massive job losses

THE UK government is being urged to provide support for the aviation and airline industries amid concerns over massive job losses.

Several companies including British Airways, Easyjet and Swissport have announced or are considering large-scale redundancies.

And Edinburgh West Lib Dem MP Christine Jardine accused the government of failing to help the sector despite promises more than two months ago that a “transport support package” was on its way.

She has been promised a meeting with Scotland Office minister Iain Stewart on the issue.

Ms Jardine said Edinburgh Airport, which is in her constituency, was a linchpin of the Capital’s economy and many jobs in the city were at risk.

“The impact on our economy and Scotland’s economy from the decline in tourist traffic through the airport, especially this summer, is going to be quite profound.”

She said over 7,000 people were employed at Edinburgh Airport and it had seen its daily passenger numbers drop from more than 40,000 to fewer than 200 during the lockdown period.

But she added: “I’m concerned about the industry generally and the impact its having on all our airports and jobs throughout Scotland.

“The lack of current support for the aviation industry is utterly disgraceful.

“We need a strategy that will help not just in the short term, it’s not a sort-term fix we want. It’s something that will help the industry going forward.”

She said environmental issues also had to be taken into account as part of any strategy. “There’s no doubt there has been an improvement in air quality in

Edinburgh through Covid-19 and we have to look at how we preserve as much of that as we can.

“We have to look at reducing the sector’s carbon footprint.

“As well as looking at a strategy for our airport and our airline industries and jobs, we have to ensure that is a strategy that also takes into account the environmental impact. It’s an opportunity to make real change.”

British Airways this week announced plans to shed 12,000 jobs, making one in four staff redundant.

Swissport, which handles baggage and cargo for airlines, is to axe 4,500 jobs - over half its workforce.

EasyJet is also planning 4,500 job losses, about a third of its employees.

Virgin Atlantic unveiled plans in May to cut more than 3,000 jobs

And European plane-maker Airbus is to cut 1,700 jobs in the UK.

Ms Jardine said: “I’ve been speaking to airline staff, employers and the airport and it’s clear that both the UK and Scottish Governments need to work collaboratively to support the aviation and wider tourism industry,”