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Jet2 to press ahead with pilot job cuts as union talks fail

Jet2 is pressing ahead with with cutting 102 pilot jobs as coronavirus crisis hits.
Jet2 is pressing ahead with with cutting 102 pilot jobs as coronavirus crisis hits. Photo: Getty

Jet2, the UK’s third largest airline, announced that more than 100 pilot jobs are on the line as talks with the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) crumbled.

The airline owned by, the Dart Group (DTG.L) said it was pressing ahead with cutting 102 pilot jobs after the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown measures saw flights grounded.

The announcement is in line with similar cuts made at leading airlines as the global aviation industry was battered by the coronavirus crisis.

Previously, British Airways, EasyJet (EZJ.L) and Ryanair (RYA.L) also announced redundancies after the pandemic weighed on ticket sales, causing a collapse in demand.

READ MORE: Turbulent times ahead for airlines as UK travel quarantine measures kick in

BALPA general secretary Brian Strutton said: “This announcement is yet another which shows the desperate state of the British aviation sector.

“Despite enormous efforts to work with Jet2 to find ways of saving these jobs, the airline is insisting on 102 redundancies.

“This will be a particular kick in the teeth as many of those who may lose their jobs have recently joined the airline after having been dismissed from Thomas Cook which went into administration last year.”

Strutton also called for industry support from the government after it was hit by implementation of quarantines on travellers from various holiday destinations.

READ MORE: British Airways pilots vote to accept job and pay cuts package

He said: “The Government has a significant role to play in supporting the vital British aviation industry. It’s quarantine changes keep throwing every restart plan into chaos.

“If these quarantines are really needed, the Government must stump up the support to help the airline industry which is doing its best to get back on track but keeps being knocked back at every juncture.”

New quarantine measure came into place, after transport secretary Grant Shapps announced late on Thursday that anyone arriving from France after 4am on Saturday (15 August) is required to quarantine for 14 days due to rising coronavirus cases in the country.

The Netherlands, Malta, Monaco, Turks & Caicos and Aruba are also bound by the new measures imposed by the Foreign Office’s UK travel corridors list.