Transatlantic traffic collapse may spell doom for Terminal 2
DUBLIN Airport staff have raised fears that Terminal 2 could close amid mounting losses arising from the shutdown of air travel.
Representatives from SIPTU have said the collapse of transatlantic traffic through Terminal 2 during the pandemic could see it close in a ‘worst case scenario’.
Aer Lingus, which operates out of Terminal 2, has already announced it is reviewing operations by closing their bases at Cork and Shannon due to losses incurred by the airline in the last three months.
The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), the State-owned company responsible for Dublin and Cork airport, has lost an estimated €160million in turnover during the pandemic. The operator told a Dáil committee this week that Dublin and Cork airports are losing €1million a day between them, as it looks to cut up to 1,000 jobs as part of a cost-cutting programme
Neil McGowan, Aviation Sector Organiser for SIPTU, told the Irish Daily Mail that there’s significant concern among airport workers that Terminal 2 could shut down.
‘There’s a great level of uncertainty, particularly due to the fact that Terminal 2 operates the transatlantic routes,’ he said.
‘There’s an obvious concern about the availability of work. But our concerns span across the entire aviation industry, which is why the Government need to urgently step in.’
SIPTU held meetings this week with the DAA on behalf of 150 members of the Airport Search Unit (ASU), which is part of the security team at Dublin Airport.
According to correspondence between the ASU’s shop stewards, seen by the Mail, the outlook is ‘not good’.
‘All members can see the effects of this virus on our industry and it does not seem to be getting better,’ a text read.
‘The reality we are facing is possible hour cuts, possible job losses and the closure of our terminal in the worst case [scenario].’
The DAA has denied there are any plans under way to close Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport.
Labour spokesman for transport Duncan Smith said that without Government support the viability of Cork and Shannon Airports are at risk and they must step in and guarantee Aer Lingus jobs and routes at these airports.
Mr McGowan added that Ireland has been slow in showing support to the aviation industry.
‘The Spanish government intervened with Iberia and offered them a liquidity of €1billion,’ he said.
‘We’re also calling for the Temporary Wage Subsidy scheme to be extended to aviation so it can deliver more certainty to people.’
Aer Lingus is considering closing bases at Cork and Shannon Airports, with up to 350 jobs at risk. It comes as part of the airline’s plans to lay off around 500 workers.
Aer Lingus owners IAG reported a pre-tax loss yesterday of €4.2billion for the first half of the year. Ongoing travel restrictions have led to Aer Lingus losing €316million alone so far this year.
The airline’s chief executive, Seán Doyle, told staff yesterday that jobs would be cut on a ‘compulsory basis if necessary’.
Willie Walsh, chief executive of parent company IAG, said yesterday it will be years before air travel returns to normal levels.
Meanwhile, Ryanair has initiated legal proceedings against the Government, questioning the legality of travel restrictions that have kept a quarantine policy in place for all but 15 countries.
It’s understood Ryanair will seek a judicial review and argue the list was not provided for in legislation and the Dáil was denied the opportunity to scrutinise it when it was put in place by way of public announcement.
IAG has joined as a notice party to the proceedings.
‘It does not seem to be getting better’