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Updated 16 minutes ago
TRADE UNION SIPTU has called on the government to provide assistance to aviation workers outside of Dublin following Ryanair’s announcement that it would suspend all regional airport flights for a month.
Ryanair announced this afternoon that it would only operate flights from Dublin Airport in Ireland from November 14 to December 12.
This led to Ireland West Airport in Knock, Co. May announced that it will close during this time period.
SIPTU sector organizer Neil McGowan described it as a “devastating blow to workers.”
“There has been a lack of urgency on the part of the government to address the crisis in the aviation industry and this has had a devastating impact on Cork, Shannon and Knock airports,” he said in a statement.
He said it is now “essential” that the Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Hildegarde Naughton, meet with representatives of the SIPTU.
Union organizer Tony Caroll said this announcement “will see more immediate layoffs, job losses, more layoffs and further erosion in income for airport workers in the run-up to Christmas.”
cuts
In a statement, Ryanair said that this cutback measure was necessary due to a “total collapse in travel demand” as a result of the current Covid-19 restrictions.
Following this, Ireland West Airport said it would close for the four week period. In a statement, the airport described this as “a new devastating blow.”
“The number of passengers this year has plummeted by more than 90% and the annual number of passengers is now forecast to decline to less than 150,000 for the entire year, the lowest in more than 20 years,” the airport said.
He said he is asking the government to “provide urgent support” through an expanded regional airport program to help address financial losses caused by the drop in passenger traffic due to the pandemic.
On October 15, Ryanair announced its reduced winter hours which would reduce capacity to 40% compared to last year.
This was further reduced with today’s announcement.
“Operations will resume on December 13 before the Christmas season to allow Irish families to reunite,” Ryanair said.
The Department of Transportation described this as a “business” decision in a statement issued tonight.
“This development is not entirely unexpected, given the low reserve rates until the end of this year,” the department said.
He added that the government “will consider further measures” to support the industry and ensure that its core capacity is protected so that it can recover quickly.
There is no doubt that the challenges facing airlines and the aviation industry as a whole are immense and the Irish government remains committed to the survival and recovery of this sector where appropriate.
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The department added that the government seeks “to strike an appropriate balance between protecting public health and allowing air travel to take place.”
Mary Considine, CEO of the Shannon Group that operates Shannon Airport, today called for an “urgent financial lifeline” for the airport and a support package for the aviation sector.
“We are very disappointed with the news; it is yet another illustration of the devastating impact of the pandemic on the aviation sector, “he said in a statement.
This latest development effectively means that we will have no scheduled services at Shannon for a month.
“If it’s going to revive and bounce back, the aviation industry needs a financial lifeline to resurrect it.”
The airport will remain open for cargo service, general aviation, transit businesses and to facilitate hangar movements.
In Cork, House Speaker Paula Cogan said the decision “will have a profound impact on tourism, hospitality, the arts and aviation in the region.”
“With the appropriate supports and protocols in place, there is no doubt that Cork airport can continue to meet the expectations of the region,” he said.
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