Menzies Aviation has put 176 jobs at risk at Luton Airport - approximately half of its workforce there.
The jobs cover roles including baggage handling, ramp agents, bus drivers and customer service positions, the union Unite has said.
Many of those at risk have been furloughed and received notification of the proposed redundancies on Wednesday (16 September), meaning their jobs would end at the same time as Government support.
The union added that the workforce is mainly based in Luton and the Bedfordshire - seeing the local economy hard hit by job losses throughout the airport and related industries.
Unite regional officer Jeff Hodge said: "This is not just a hammer blow for the workers affected but for Luton itself as the sheer level of job losses at the airport is having a terrible effect on the local economy.
"The real villains are the Government who first promised to provide specific support to the aviation industry in March. The promised and vitally needed support has failed to materialise.
“With the end of furlough fast approaching aviation companies, which have been the sector worst affected by the pandemic, are looking over a cliff edge and as a result job losses are increasing."
He added: “The aviation industry is viable once Covid-19 is under control but the industry cannot bounce back if it continues to lose jobs like these.
“The bottom line is that workers should not be paying with their jobs.”
Unite, the TUC and all aviation unions are calling on the Government to offer targeted support to the industries still affected by Covid-19.
This includes protecting jobs in aviation,the suspension of air passenger duty and business rate relief for airports in England as has been brought in for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
