Airport Difficult decisions could be needed, says boss
BRISTOL Airport says “difficult decisions may be necessary” after a dramatic drop in business led to 80 per cent of staff being furloughed.
The airport was averaging 151 flights a day in January, but there were only eight tracked departures in the week up to April 20, according to air traffic website Flight Radar 24.
Independent aviation analyst Martin Evans told the BBC there is a risk some airports could close down due to the coronavirus pandemic, saying this “could mean an airport company folds but that the buildings and facilities are still there and someone else would take over.”
Bristol Airport says those comments apply more to smaller regional airports, but it has warned of a need for “reducing or deferring capital expenditure for the remainder of 2020”.
Asked if jobs are at risk, a spokeswoman for the airport said the actions it plans to take are “scaling back recruitment, and consolidating the operational facilities of the terminal”.
She confirmed 80 per cent of staff are in furlough, including business partners and airline colleagues on site.
Bristol Airport remains open with a reduced number of commercial and scheduled flights as well as assisting with repatriation, medical, military and other essential movements,” she added.
“The aviation industry has faced many challenges before, but the scale and impact of Covid-19 has seen the largest European downturn of customer demand the airlines have experienced.
“Bristol Airport, similar to other airports, airlines and business partners, will introduce measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of the business during these exceptional circumstances. It is a dynamic situation and further reviews and difficult decisions may be necessary to protect the business for the future.”
Bristol Airport CEO Dave Lees said the risk to the industry should not be underestimated.
He added: “Aviation has experienced challenges before, including airline failures, volcanic ash airspace closures and terror attacks, but the impact of Covid-19 will have farreaching repercussions.
“Air connectivity is a vital part of our society and economic success and Bristol Airport will be ready to resume this role for our region.”
The Post asked the airport if the crisis will be a factor in whether it decides to appeal North Somerset Council’s rejection of its expansion plan.
The airport had proposed to boost passenger capacity by two million a year, but councillors blocked the scheme in February.
Bristol Airport’s spokeswoman did not confirm whether an appeal will go ahead or whether coronavirus could prevent this.
She said the rejection “risks putting the brakes on the region’s economy and shutting the door to international trade and tourism at a time when the UK needs to show it is open for business”.
“We will now review North Somerset Council’s reasons for refusing the planning application and make a decision on our next steps,” she said.
❝ “Air connectivity is a vital part of our society and economic success and Bristol Airport will be ready to resume this role for our region.”