Virgin Atlantic is to axe more than 3,000 jobs in a bid to secure new funding to help the business survive the coronavirus pandemic.
The bold move will mark the end of its long-running stint at Gatwick Airport in London, in another blow for the site after being told last week that British Airways may never fly from there again.
The aviation industry in the UK has been blighted with financial insecurity in the wake of the global coronavirus outbreak.
Now the airline, which is majority owned by billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group is set to axe more than 3,000 jobs.
Trade unions and staff were briefed about the redundancies on Tuesday May 5, reports Sky News.
It has been reported Virgin's seven Boeing 747s are to be retired while the airline's fleet is reduced from 43 planes to 36.
The airline has around 10,000 UK staff and operates out of Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester airports.
A total of 3,150 jobs are at risk.
Many airlines have suffered the effects of coronavirus, with reduced flights and cancelled holidays in abundance.
British Airways said it plans a potential 12,000 redundancies and Ryanair has said it plans to axe 3,000 jobs.
