The Leeds-based airline Jet2 has informed its pilots and BALPA, who represent them, that they intend to make 102 pilot redundancies.

Jet2 which has bases at Leeds/Bradford, Belfast International, Birmingham, East Midlands, Stansted, Newcastle, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow, is the latest airline to issue formal notice of redundancy and start a consultation process.

Brian Strutton, BALPA General Secretary, said, “This is yet more evidence, if it were needed, of the freefall in aviation, and the knee-jerk way airlines are responding, especially as lockdown is gradually being eased.

“Many of the pilots whose jobs are on the line in Jet2 have just recently moved there after having lost their jobs at Thomas Cook – these pilots have been through the mill already.

“Despite being one of our least union friendly airlines, I hope Jet2 negotiates in good faith and works with us on how we can mitigate these proposed losses and see Jet2 thrive in the future.

“As difficult as our relationship with Jet2 undoubtedly is, the airline plays an extremely important role, especially at airports in the North, and we want it to succeed.

“Once again, I reiterate my call for the Government to step in, call for a job cuts moratorium, and work on a strategic support package to help this industry get through this crisis.”