Heathrow is to make further jobs cuts as the government’s quarantine compounds a virtual aviation standstill.
Passenger numbers in May continued at a historic low at 228,000 – down 97% compared to the same time last year.
The airport has begun to restructure its frontline roles, having already cut a third of managerial staff. The number of jobs at risk has not been dislclosed.
The London hub warned that the “grim picture is set to continue thanks to the government’s quarantine policy which requires all arriving passengers to self-isolate for two weeks.
“Heathrow is urging the government to establish air bridges to low risk countries that will enable the country to restart its economy in earnest, protecting livelihoods in aviation and the sectors that rely on it.”
The aviation industry is also calling for a 12-months waiver in business rates for all airports in England and Wales, matching the support given to airports in Scotland and Northern Ireland and the UK’s hospitality and leisure sector.
Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “Throughout this crisis, we have tried to protect front line jobs, but this is no longer sustainable, and we have now agreed a voluntary severance scheme with our union partners.
“While we cannot rule out further job reductions, we will continue to explore options to minimise the number of job losses.”
Heathrow began trialling thermal screening technology last month in the immigration hall of Terminal 2 and the check-in area in Terminal 5.
The trials are part of a wider initiative looking at how technology could reduce the risk of contracting or transmitting Covid-19 when travelling and in future could help create a common international standard for health screening.
Unite union regional co-ordinating officer Wayne King said: “Regrettably Unite, as the principal union at Heathrow, accepts that due to the drop in airport usage there will be a reduction in frontline roles.
“Unite has rejected strongly the prospect of any enforced redundancy programme and has instead negotiated a generous voluntary severance scheme.
“The union recognises that there are workers currently employed at the airport who are prepared to leave in order to pursue fresh opportunities elsewhere.
“Unite will assist our members throughout this process and will ensure that no worker is pressurised or coerced to apply for severance.
“We have been clear with the company that Unite will not allow any needless job losses or accept any attacks on our members’ pay, terms and conditions.”
Unite national officer for aviation Oliver Richardson added: “The introduction of the quarantine measures has further delayed the sector’s ability to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The government must urgently look at introducing measures such as air bridges and effective track and trace procedures which will help to restore confidence in flying.
“However, such confidence-boosting measures are not sufficient on their own. The government must swiftly bring forward the bespoke financial support package for aviation which was first promised by the chancellor three months ago.
“The ongoing failure to provide this desperately needed financial support and ensure the UK has a healthy and sustainable aviation in the future sector, is not only causing job losses but could means routes, airlines and some smaller airports disappear altogether.
“This would be a disaster for the long-term health of the UK economy as aviation is essential to our ability to trade.”