Trade union's fears for airport jobs and industry if quarantine plan goes ahead

Starting today (Monday June 8) anyone coming into the UK must self-quarantine unless they are on a list of exempted professions.

However, the union for aviation staff says the move lacks scientific evidence and will be disastrous for the aviation industry and the economy in the North West.

Manchester Airport is an employer of Wiganers, either directly or in roles connected to the facility, and the the council, like all 10 Greater Manchester local authorities, is a shareholder in the airport and receives a dividend from it which can be invested in services in the borough.

GMB has launched the Save Our Airports campaign with six key demands which include extending the 80 per cent furlough scheme for another 12 months, a financial package to support the aviation industry and a commitment to work with unions to deliver a way forward.

In 2018 the aviation industry supported more than 31,000 jobs across the North West and contributed more than £344m to the regional economy.

In recent weeks many of the sector's workers have been facilitating cargo flights containing vital medical, food supplies and PPE to aid in the national effort against Covid-19 infections, GMB said.

The union argues that airports are of huge significance to regional economies; providing highly-skilled jobs which are often difficult to replicate, while also contributing to the creation of almost 126,000 supply chain jobs.

GMB national officer Nadine Houghton said: “The government’s plans for self-quarantining arrivals to the UK will prove disastrous for an already beleaguered aviation industry. This is a populist move, made without any real scientific evidence or consultation with the industry and unions representing hundreds of thousands of workers throughout the sector.

"Many people forget the huge significance of the aviation industry to the economy of the North West and the impact this quarantine will have on much needed jobs here.

“Aviation jobs aren’t just about airlines, cabin crew and pilots; the aviation industry provides important supply chain jobs to baggage handlers, security, fire crews, taxi drivers and retail workers.

“If the government don’t end this ill thought out policy and step in with a bespoke financial package for aviation then thousands of regional aviation jobs will be lost. It’s not too late for the government to act.”