Balpa asks UK to include Flybe staff in JRS

LONDON - Staff who lost their jobs overnight on 5th March through the collapse of Flybe have expressed dismay that they will fall between bureaucratic cracks, meaning they cannot take advantage of the UK Government`s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS). Pilot union Balpa wants Flybe staff to be included.

"The JRS only supports those currently in work, not those who have lost their jobs, even as a consequence of the Coronavirus crisis which was, at least in part, responsible for the collapse of Flybe," the uniion said. Flybe went into liquidation just days before coronavirus effects grounded the industry.

"Loyal and dedicated Flybe pilots and other staff were all made redundant overnight with no notice and no consultation," a Balpa spokesperson said. "It is great that the JRS is helping workers in many parts of the aviation industry, but sadly, Flybe pilots have already been made redundant, and therefore cannot access to this scheme."

Balpa believes the Government should widen the criteria to take account of workers like this who have lost their jobs and has written to Treasury Ministers asking them to do so.