Grounded pilot fears losing job and home

A COMMERCIAL pilot fears losing his job and home after the Scottish Government failed to provide clarity for the aviation sector.

Dale Mudie, 30, said watching First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s lockdown roadmap announcement was a “kick in the teeth” because of the “lack of direction” for the aviation and travel industries.

Mr Mudie, who lives in Broughty Ferry, said: “There is not anywhere near the right amount of detail, inspiration or clarity – whatever word you want to put on it – that I was hoping for from the first minister.”

He said he and others in the industry were hoping for a similar level of assurance as that given by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Mr Johnson offered firmer assurances on dates moving out of lockdown, including the hope all legal limits on social contact will be removed from June 21.

In Scotland, Ms Sturgeon said the lifting of restrictions is dependent on the continuing success of the vaccination programme, and the slowing of virus cases.

Travel restrictions are likely to remain for “some time yet”, she added.

Mr Mudie said the uncertainty was having a “massive” effect on the aviation industry, both locally and across the UK.

“We are the worst affected industry in the economy,” he added.

“I know hospitality has been hit pretty hard, but they have been allowed to open up and diversify to a certain degree. That’s not an option for our industry.

“It’s not just airlines directly. It’s the whole infrastructure. Add to the fact we have huge fixed costs and it has been horrendous.”

Mr Mudie said the situation has taken a huge toll as he, in common with other young pilots, still has large outstanding debts incurred during his training.

“If I lose my job I’m looking at bankruptcy simply because of the way I funded my training. I’m in a pretty precarious financial position,” he said.

“The government has shown its true colours that aviation is not a priority.”

Mr Mudie said he believes the pandemic has placed the future viability of Dundee Airport at threat.

“Highlands and Islands Airports (HIAL), which runs the airport, might decide what they’re making is a drop in the ocean compared to what they can make elsewhere and decide to get rid of Dundee and invest the money into making a bigger profit in Inverness or Stornoway,” he said.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said Scotland is the only part of the UK to have committed to extending the 100% business rates relief for the sector for the whole of next year.

“We’re also working with airports on route recovery, to help rebuild connectivity for business and tourism once we are able to safely lift travel restrictions,” she added.

“This will help win back routes and employment opportunities.”

“We significantly increased our funding to Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) – the operator of Dundee Airport – by £13.8 million in 2020-21, to ensure that services are maintained, protect jobs and enable HIAL to resume full operations when conditions allow.”

A Highlands and Islands Airport spokesman said: “HIAL remains committed to the long-term sustainability of air services at Dundee and we look forward to the resumption of aviation activity to pre-Covid-19 levels as we move out of lockdown.”