Almost 250 jobs look set to be axed at Bristol Airport as it reels from the devastating’ impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the aviation industry.
Some 76 directly employed staff are in line to be made redundant – just under a quarter of the total workforce – while aircraft handling firm Swissport has also announced 167 job losses at the airport. 
The Unite union, which is in talks with airport bosses and Swissport over the cuts – said a smaller number of redundancies at other firms were also expected to be announced in the coming days.
Airport bosses have told staff they expect it to make a substantial loss this year. despite a halt on capital spending and temporary wage cuts imposed during the lockdown.
Airport CEO Dave Lees, pictured, said: “It is with much regret that we are having to make the announcement which will impact on our people during this difficult period, however we need to ensure that we are making the right decisions to protect the future outlook of the airport.
“Given this unprecedented set of circumstances in which we now find ourselves, it is imperative we take appropriate action to ensure the airport is best placed to recover and thrive in the longer term, and serve our region whilst protecting the majority of jobs and the people who will play a key role in our future.”
Unite said the job cuts would open a ‘huge economic hole’ in the region. 
Regional officer Tim Morris said: “The redundancies announced by Bristol Airport and Swissport are devastating for our members and the local area.
“Unite is clear that any job losses can and should be delayed until the situation becomes clearer. If they go ahead a huge economic hole will open in the region that could take decades to recover.
“Bristol Airport plays a crucial role in the South West of England, contributing £1.3bn a year to their economies and supporting thousands of jobs.
“After weeks of warnings by Unite and employers, the government must now stop prevaricating and provide a sector-specific support package for airports and the aviation industry.”
The cuts have been announced as the airport, which employs nearly 400 people, strives to return to a near-normal flight schedule after more than three months in almost total lockdown.
While it reopened its main terminal on July 1 as some domestic and international flights resumed, it is still only operating at around a tenth of its capacity.
Budget carrier Ryanair today followed rival easyJet by announcing a big increase in international flights – the Irish carrier said it is bringing back services on 30-plus routes – while a new-look airline is restoring the airport’s long-standing link with Jersey.
Ryanair said its revised summer 2020 schedule would include flights to and from just over 30 destinations from Bristol – around three fifths of its usual services from the airport.
As well as summer getaway locations in Spain, Italy or Greece, Ryanair is also launching a new twice-weekly service to Vienna.
Ryanair joint advertising and marketing manager Eimear Ryan said: “A Malaga service marked one of the first of Ryanair’s post-lockdown flights from Bristol on June 23 and our full summer 2020 schedule from the airport now includes more than 30 routes to leisure and business destinations across Europe.
Following the lifting of travel restrictions, holidaymakers can now look forward to planning a well-deserved summer getaway on the lowest fares and with the new health measures that Ryanair has rolled out to protect the health and well-being of its people as it ramps up operations this summer.
Bristol Airport CEO Dave Lees added: “The range of routes available offers customers from the South West and Wales region a choice and flexibility of destinations using their local airport. We continue to partner with Ryanair to look at future route opportunities.
Meanwhile Channel Islands-based Blue Islands is to restore flights to Jersey from August 3. The four times a week service ended earlier in March when regional airline Flybe collapsed. Blue Islands, which was a Flybe franchisee, has established Itself as an Independent airline with its own livery and branding.
Last month Bristol Airport launched its Safe Journeys Start Here campaign to guide passengers through various coronavirus-related safety measures as international flights resumed.
Airlines, including low-cost carrier easyJet – which will operate services on half its 72 routes from Bristol from this month – have also introduced strict safety measures on their flights, including making masks compulsory for passengers as well as cabin and ground crew and extra cleaning of aircraft.
Bristol Airport, which is owned by Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, generates £1.3bn a year and supports work for around 15,000 people – 3,500 employed onsite by more than 50 companies and the remainder in jobs reliant on the airport.
It is the ninth busiest airport in the UK and England’s third largest regional airport. Last year it handled around 9m passengers – a number originally expected to nudge the 10m mark this year, which is its capacity under current planning regulations. However, the airport is now not expecting passenger numbers to recover for at least three years.
