The collapse of Flybe and the threat to job security in the aviation industry with the global impact of COVID -19 has led to the trade union GMB warning about a growing crisis in the sector.

2000 jobs across the UK have been lost with the collapse of FlyBe.

Bob Deavy, GMB Scotland Organiser  said:

“The collapse of FlyBe will have significant knock-on effects across the aviation industry. It commands an urgent and robust response from both Scottish and UK governments to contain the growing crisis and provide reassurance and comfort for the workforce.

“We must urgently convene an aviation jobs taskforce, bringing together politicians, the trade unions and employers across all affected airports in order to work collaboratively to retain staff and skills.

“The taskforce should consider flexible working, as well as setting aside funding for retraining and upskilling of staff.

“GMB Scotland also believes it is now incumbent upon the Scottish Government to cut Air Passenger Duty to give smaller airlines the breathing space they urgently need to survive.”

photo credit : Aero Pixels from England