The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) has announced that it was formally notified of proposed redundancies at BA CityFlyer this afternoon. The airline operates British Airways branded flights out of London City and Edinburgh Airports.

72 potential pilot redundancies were notified out of 248, mainly at Edinburgh where BA CityFlyer is proposing closing its crew base. In addition, the company warned that its whole future remained uncertain as British Airways, its parent company, was still reviewing its own future.

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.”