www.virgin-atlantic.com

As many as 600 jobs may be cut at Virgin Atlantic as the airline industry continues to face a “bleak” outlook for its future.

The carrier, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, has announced a reduction in winter capacity of seven per cent, as compared with the same season last year.

Daily service connecting London Heathrow with Chicago will be discontinued for the winter, as will one of the airline’s two daily services to Hong Kong. Frequencies on other route, as net unspecified, will also be reduced for the winter season.

The airline issued a statement confirming the news: “As a result of the lower demand, the airline will need to reduce staff numbers and will shortly start consultations with staff about the possibility of up to 600 redundancies across the business.”

It went on to say: “We are keeping our staff fully informed and will be working closely with staff and union representatives in order to find ways to protect as many jobs as possible and avoid compulsory redundancies.”

Steve Ridgway, the carrier’s chief executive, said: “The outlook for the industry is as bleak as ever and all airlines are having to shrink their businesses. The fittest will survive and be in a stronger position when the economy grows.”

He added: “We will look to minimize the number of compulsory redundancies and ensure we treat our staff as fairly as possible.”

Thanks to www.travelmole.com for the above quotes, for more information please visit their website.

www.virgin-atlantic.com