Dozens of jobs at risk at 'incredibly hard-hit' Loganair

A total of 68 jobs are at risk at Loganair as the airline said it has “been incredibly hard-hit” by the pandemic.

Overseas travel has been disrupted throughout lockdown, while quarantine restrictions have caused further uncertainty in the aviation industry.

Loganair will introduce a skills retention programme, which the airline’s chief executive Jonathan Hinkles said has reduced the scale of redundancies.

Staff members affected by potential redundancies are based in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Dundee and Inverness.

Mr Hinkles said: “Like everyone in the aviation industry, we’ve been incredibly hard-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. It has been without doubt the biggest ever challenge for our industry and the biggest challenge in Loganair’s 58-year history.

“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, from a total workforce of 850. The closure of our base at Chester is the largest single step, whilst other staff members affected are based in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Dundee and Inverness.”

Mr Hinkles said there will be “options for relocation where openings exists”, adding: “It will come as no consolation to those affected that the scale of proposed redundancies at Loganair is far lower than in other UK airlines.”

The skills retention programme will run from November 1 until March 31, providing continuity of employment and a monthly subsistence payment over winter for 40 workers for whom there is no work at the moment.

Mr Hinkles said: “The programme is designed to provide a bridge between today’s challenging market conditions and an expected increase in flying in the airline’s summer 2021 schedule.”