Gatwick has announced plans to cut 600 jobs, almost one quarter of the workforce, and will begin a formal consultation with staff affected.
Announcing the redundancies, Gatwick chief executive Stuart Wingate called for government support for the sector and for “mechanisms to give passengers greater certainty on where and when they can travel”.
The job losses will form part of a company-wide restructure at the UK’s second-largest airport.
In a statement, Gatwick blamed the “devastating impact on passenger and air traffic numbers” of Covid-19.
The airport said it had taken steps “to preserve as many jobs as possible” and the reorganisation would leave it “placed to respond quickly to future growth”.
Gatwick reported passenger numbers in August more than 80% down year on year.
The airport is currently operating solely from its North Terminal. It said more than 75% of staff remain on furlough under the government’s Job Retention Scheme which is due to end in October
Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “If anyone is in any doubt about the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on the aviation and travel industry today’s news regarding the proposed job losses is a stark reminder.
“We are in ongoing talks with government to see what sector-specific support can be put in place for the industry, alongside mechanisms which will give 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.”
He insisted: “Gatwick will recover from this pandemic and we’ll emerge from the restructuring a fitter and stronger organisation.”
