Type
Internal restructuring
Country
United Kingdom
Region
South East; Surrey; East and West Sussex
Location of affected unit(s)
Gatwick Airport
Sector
Transportation / Storage
Land, Water And Air Transportation
Air Transport
51.10 - Passenger air transport

600 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
26 August 2020
Employment effect (start)
Foreseen end date

Description

Gatwick Airport, the UK’s second largest airport has announced that it will start consultations about a proposed restructure, which includes plans to cut 600 jobs, about a quarter of its workforce.

The chief executive said the cuts were necessary to reduce the company’s costs in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, which had 'devastating impacts' on the airline and travel industries. The airport has faced a 80% reduction in passenger numbers.

A representative of the trade union Unite said the plans were a 'bitter blow' and criticised the government for not supporting the aviation sector, despite promising to do so.

In March, the airport announced that it would cut 200 jobs. Currently 75% of its workforce are on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which will end in October. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Gatwick Airport provided employment to over 30,000 people, including people working for baggage handling companies and retailers located at the airport.


Sources

Citation

Eurofound (2020), Gatwick airport, Internal restructuring in United Kingdom, factsheet number 101938, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/101938.