Gatwick Airport cuts show 85,000 jobs at risk without intervention says union

The axing of hundreds of jobs at Gatwick Airport shows 85,000 roles could be at risk without intervention, according to a union.
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Aviation union GMB says thousands of jobs are at risk without government intervention after the airport announced plans to slash 600 jobs – almost a quarter of its current workforce.

A report called The Economic Impact Of Gatwick Airport, published in January 2017, said as of 2016 the airport had an economic footprint of 85,000 jobs and a GDP contribution of £5.3 billion.

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GMB said its members have been working through the pandemic and now feel ‘tossed aside’.

Gatwick South terminal SR2007066 SUS-200607-172347001Gatwick South terminal SR2007066 SUS-200607-172347001
Gatwick South terminal SR2007066 SUS-200607-172347001

Declan MacIntyre, GMB organiser, said: “This is another huge hit after the large scale job losses from the airlines like BA. Our members have been working through the pandemic and now feel like they’ve been tossed aside.

“Ministers needs to step in and take control of the situation before the airport and surrounding areas of Sussex and Surrey are irretrievably decimated.”

Stewart Wingate, CEO of Gatwick Airport, said the job cuts are a ‘stark reminder’ of the devastating impact of Covid-19.

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He added: “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.”

The airport boss thanked staff who have worked ‘tirelessly’ to keep Gatwick open throughout the pandemic, along with those on furlough.

He added: “We will continue to do all we can to preserve as many jobs as possible.”