Coronavirus: Swissport group to cut 4,500 jobs in the UK

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The Swiss airport services group Swissport has just announced the imminent loss of more than 4,500 jobs in the United Kingdom, or almost half of its workforce in the country due to the impact of the pandemic on air traffic. The group which is present in many airports like Heathrow and Gatwick in London explains to have to reduce its size to simply survive the crisis.

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With our correspondent in London,Muriel Delcroix

Swissport employees are those who work behind the scenes at many UK airports, taking care of travelers' baggage after check-in, or providing fuel for aircraft. Their discreet presence is therefore essential for the proper functioning of an airport.

But the collapse of air traffic due to the coronavirus around the world now threatens the existence of a number of players in the sector. Swissport thus experienced a 75% drop in turnover in May. The group had already had to declare bankruptcy two of its Belgian subsidiaries at Brussels airport.

The situation is however particularly difficult in the United Kingdom because of the quarantine put in place for travelers arriving in the country as well as the absence of an aid plan for the sector unlike what happens in other countries.

The British Airports Association also warns that 20,000 jobs are threatened and this figure could even exceed 110,000 jobs taking into account all activities at airports. Officials call on Boris Johnson's government to do more to protect the sector.

For the moment, his Minister for the Economy refuses to launch targeted aid measures and highlights his program of overall support for the British economy.

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• Economy
• Transport
• United Kingdom