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Consider airline staff during insolvency arrangements, says Balpa

UK pilots have raised concerns that a review of airline insolvency arrangements to protect consumers do not appear to include staff.

In the wake of the Monarch collapse, the British Airline Pilots’ Association called staff of failed airlines should to be considered in the process announced in yesterday’s Budget.

Balpa general secretary Brian Strutton said: “I welcome the review announced by the Chancellor.

“The recent example with Monarch showed there are definitely some flaws in the way we carry out insolvency arrangements when it comes to the collapse of an airline, particularly regarding staff.

“I have written to the Chancellor to ask him to ensure that this aspect is part of the review’s terms of reference.”

Strutton added: “Monarch pilots lost their jobs and livelihoods, and with them, a significant amount of money in wages following the collapse.

“We are also concerned about the decision to wet-lease aircraft from airline carriers, including non-EU carriers, to repatriate customers, while Monarch pilots and aircraft remained grounded.

“The reasons for this were bureaucratic, and the rules could certainly be changed to at least give pilots a few more days’ employment.”

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