Virgin Atlantic to shed 1,000 more jobs as Covid-19 crisis bites deeper

Virgin Atlantic warned it was still fighting for survival on Friday as it announced plans to cut more than 1,000 jobs following the successful completion of its GBP1.2b private sector rescue deal. CE Shai Weiss said that the airline was “absolutely” still in a battle to secure its future as the entire aviation industry reels from the impact of Covid-19. “Anyone operating in aviation and tourism around the world is still fighting for survival,” Mr Weiss said as he urged the UK and US to work together to reopen the transatlantic market for passenger flights. The airline said it would shed 1,150 jobs across all parts of its business on top of the 3,150 job cuts announced in May, leaving it with a little over half of the 10,000 staff it had before it was plunged into the coronavirus crisis. “Further reducing the number of people we employ is heartbreaking but essential,” Weiss said, adding that he did not expect to make further significant cuts. Weiss called for “rapid and immediate action” from the UK government to introduce testing on arrival and departure to allow an expansion of safe international travel. The Unite union said the latest round of job losses was “another serious blow to the UK’s aviation industry”.<br/>