Job loss fears in airport restructuring
24.01.08
Unions and staff fear job losses at Coventry Airport after dozens of workers received notices to attend redundancy consultation meetings next week. Security, maintenance and aircraft refuellers are among those sent letters explaining that reduced flights at the hub have coincided with the onset of winter schedules and fewer passengers.
The airport was refused planning consent for the new terminal building last June, and the number of flights has fallen since. Whilst services to Poland with Wizz Air are increasing, Thomsonfly flights to destinations including Paris, Amsterdam and Barcelona have been lost, at least temporarily.
Coventry Airport chief executive Chris Orphanou said that he is still optimistic that an appeal to the High Court for a terminal building serving up to 2 million passengers a year will be successful. But some redundancies among maintenance staff have already been made and letters sent out last week have raised fears of job losses among the remaining 162 employees.
Mr Orphanou said: 'I am upbeat about the future, but our plans and ideas have been set back by 18 months. The letters are part of a consultancy procedure while we are restructuring our business for all concerned.'
Unite union leader Tony Higham said: 'We are disappointed that the airport has not consulted us, although not surprised by the current situation. The airport was let down badly by the rejection of planning permission. Since then they have found it hard to gain new business.'
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