British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) said that Leeds-based Jet2 has announced plans to make 102 pilots redundant across most of its bases.

Jet2 is owned by Dart Group and is based at Leeds-Bradford airport and also has crew bases at Belfast–International, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London–Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham.

“BALPA, which represents the airline’s pilots, has put forward a range of options to save jobs, but each one has been turned down,” said the union.

BALPA General Secretary Brian Strutton said: “This announcement is yet another which shows the desperate state of the British aviation sector.

“Despite enormous efforts to work with Jet2 to find ways of saving these jobs the airline is insisting on 102 redundancies.

“This will be a particular kick in the teeth as many of those who may lose their jobs have recently joined the airline after having been dismissed from Thomas Cook which went into administration last year. 

“BALPA will be supporting our pilot members in Jet2 and every other airline where they are facing the threat of losing their jobs.

“The Government has a significant role to play in supporting the vital British aviation industry.

“Its quarantine changes keep throwing every restart plan into chaos.

“If these quarantines are really needed the Government must stump up the support to help the airline industry which is doing its best to get back on track but keeps being knocked back at every juncture.”

Jet2.com said: “We are greatly distressed and deeply regret these redundancies that are entirely caused by the current situation.”