Loganair looks at cuts after airline hammered by Covid-19 pandemic

Loganair is planning cuts following months of a severe downturn in business.

Staff who aren’t made redundant will see a 20% pay cut over the winter while 40 personnel are set to receive subsistence payments and go onto a company-funded skills retention programme.

The airline warns of job losses at Inverness and Glasgow airports - the two main hubs for Western Isles air links.

Redundancies may also occur in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Dundee.

Some 45 posts may be affected in Scotland plus a further 23 positions in Chester where its base is closing.

All but essential travel was banned during the height of the lockdown and traffic levels remains weak.

Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair’s chief executive, said the company has been “incredibly hard-hit” by the Covid-19 pandemic which is the “biggest ever challenge” for both the industry and the airline.”

He added: “We have worked hard to protect jobs, but recovery across the sector has been incredibly slow. I sincerely regret that we have been left with no option but to enter into a consultation process for 68 roles which are now at risk of redundancy.”

“In order to reduce the scale of redundancies, Loganair is introducing a company-funded skills retention programme, which will provide continuity of employment and a monthly subsistence payment over the coming winter for 40 further employees for whom there is presently no work.

“Other employees will also be taking a 20% pay cut over the winter season.”

Loganair plans cuts after airline hammered by Covid-19 pandemic

10 September 2020