UK airlines and airports scramble to hire staff as travel takes off again

Are you unfazed by heights, able to swim, not visibly tattooed, either taller than 5 ft 2in or possessed of extraordinarily long arms, and able to survive on GBP16k basic a year? Then there is a pretty good chance an airline needs you. Cabin crew are just a few of the roles the aviation sector has been desperately trying to fill after the bounceback from Covid. Employees were axed en masse as the pandemic hit and flights were grounded, with British Airways alone shedding 10,000 people. Now those aviation businesses that cut to the bone have been unable to recruit fast enough after the government suddenly lifted all travel restrictions in March, fuelling a surge in bookings. At the more glamorous end of aviation, there is still no shortage of applicants: BA is holding wings ceremonies, where newly qualified cabin crew are given their silver winged badges, almost daily. Staff shortages that led to chaotic scenes in departure lounges at Easter continue to play out. Last week, Manchester airport was still grappling with 90-minute security queues, while Birmingham International forced passengers to wait outside its terminals, so they could tell which queue was which. The Midlands airport laid off almost half its staff during the pandemic. Both are in the midst of training up new security officers – and like virtually all airlines and airports, have been racing to recruit. However, they have emerged into a much tighter labour market – and having paid staff to leave, many businesses are now forced to offer incentives to get them back.<br/>