British Airways is to cut dozens of jobs at Edinburgh Airport in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, according to reports.
The airline announced dozens of Capital-based pilots could be made redundant as it proposes closing its Edinburgh CityFlyer crew base just hours after the UK government revealed its job retention scheme was to be extended.
Pilots’ union BALPA warned the majority of the 72 job cuts from CityFlyer’s 248 staff were likely to be at Edinburgh Airport.
The airline also warned of an “uncertain future” with flights across the country set to be grounded for several months amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
CityFlyer, which operates a network linking dozens of major European cities, posted a profit of more than £42million between 2018 and 2019.
Brian Strutton, BALPA General Secretary, said: “CityFlyer had been a successful part of BA so this is yet more shocking and devastating news. While the Chancellor fanfares his Job Retention Scheme the aviation industry continues to haemorrhage jobs.
“The Government is making this crisis worse for aviation by imposing restrictions on flying and forcing airlines into a death spiral.
“BALPA will fight for every job in CityFlyer at London City and Edinburgh Airports which rely on this important and efficient airline.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the government’s furlough scheme was to be extended until October at 80 per cent of employee wages.
Workers are expected to be encouraged to return on a part-time basis from July.
