Unite, Britain and Ireland’s largest union, and the political party Reform Jersey have called on Swissport ‘to wait and see’ exactly how many airlines step in to take over the Flybe routes which were 25 per cent of the Channel Island airport’s operations.

Already Aurigny, owned by the States of Guernsey; Blue Islands; and Loganair have stepped in to provide some of the routes previously operated by Flybe.

A consultation process has already started on the company’s proposal that 45 jobs could be under threat.

Unite will be meeting its reps representing the mainly baggage handler membership on Monday (16 March) to discuss the situation and with the Swissport management later next week. The Swissport workforce at Jersey airport is 127.

Unite regional coordinating officer Terry Keefe said: “Unite and Reform are aware that Aurigny, Blue Islands and Loganair have already stepped in to provide some of the slots previously undertaken by Flybe.

“This percentage is likely to increase over the coming weeks and months and we would ask Swissport to not take any draconian actions in the short term, but wait until the level of the airport replacement business has become clear.

“There should be no consideration of compulsory redundancies until the picture going forward is clear and, indeed, until any volunteers have been sought.

“We will be meeting the stewards and the company in the next week to start the discussions and explore how we can minimise any redundancies and safeguard members’ jobs.”