WORKERS at Glasgow Airport took part in a nationwide Travel Day of Action today in protest at ongoing restrctions on the industry.

Staff based at the airport gathered on the airfield at 2pm this afternoon to spell out the word 'HELP' with unused vehicles.

Travel agents, pilots, tour operators and cabin crew have joined together to call on the Scottish and UK Governments to capitalise on the vaccine rollout in order to safely reopen the aviation sector this summer.

It comes after the airport revealed it has shed 2000 jobs from over 100 companies who are based there - a third of its previous workforce. Glasgow Airport provided 6000 jobs to the local economy before the pandemic.

Some also took to Holyrood as part of the protest with Eastwood MSP Jackson Carlaw giving his backing.

In 2019, Glasgow Airport welcomed 34,000 passengers through its doors on this day. Today it is just 3,000. They have been operating at a £3m million loss per month throughout the pandemic.

Derek Provan, Chief Executive of AGS Airports Ltd, which owns and operates Glasgow Airport, said: “We have kept our airports open to support a number services including lifeline flights to the Scottish Islands, air ambulance operations and vital PPE and medical supply deliveries, while ensuring domestic and international connectivity could continue for key workers in crucial sectors like oil and gas. 

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“Our airports have accrued losses of over £3 million per month since March last year in order to remain open and operational, but more importantly a third of the people employed across our airports have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

“With no clear recovery plan on the horizon and a lack any significant and meaningful support from government, the thousands of people currently working within our industry face an uncertain future.

“Government must act now to save an industry that has delivered so much for our country and if provided with the correct support will play a key role in rebuilding our economy.”