London City airport has announced “crucial” restructuring
plans that could see 239 roles being lost across the organisation as the hub
tries to survive a downturn in international travel.
The airport said it has officially opened consultations with
staff to “explore ways of reducing costs”, which could include voluntary
redundancies. Other plans to cut expenditure so far have included temporarily suspending
the airport’s £500 million development programme, including a new terminal
expansion. This will not impact projects already underway, which will be
completed as planned by the end of this year.
London City suspended commercial flights on 25 March as
the global coronavirus pandemic hit passenger demand and travel restrictions
came into place in both the UK and Europe. Flights resumed on 21 June, but the
airport said passenger numbers are still “well below” 2019 levels and that it expects
this to continue throughout the tough winter flying season.
CEO Robert Sinclair commented: “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 devastating 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.”