Swissport, which employs about 8,500 workers at airports across the British Isles, including baggage handlers and check-in staff, is the latest travel business to be affected by the downturn in aviation caused by coronavirus.
An estimated 45 staff are employed by the company in Jersey, but it is not yet clear whether they will be affected.
In a message to staff, chief executive Jason Holt said it would consult on cuts that could affect up to 4,556 jobs.
He added: ‘We must do this to secure the lifeline of funding from lenders and investors to protect as many jobs as possible in the UK and Ireland. It’s true that we’ve seen tough times before – volcanic cloud, 9/11, the financial crisis – and we’ve weathered these. But this time it’s different. We have never seen anything like Covid-19 in our lifetimes.’
Unions expressed their fears regarding the news.
Nadine Houghton, national officer of the GMB, said: ‘We have deep concerns about the viability of many of our regional airports and the benefits they bring.’
Unite regional secretary Steve Preddy, representing members of the union based at Jersey and Bristol airports, said: ‘The Swissport jobs announcement is another blow for the stricken south-west aviation sector.
‘Workers at Swissport will not be alone in fearing for their jobs today. All workers in the sector are becoming increasingly fearful for their futures.’
