British Airways staff in Northern Ireland fear there could be a further round of job cuts by the airline, this time to trim its operations at Belfast City Airport.
The British flag carrier last month announced plans to axe its Belfast to London Heathrow route and close its operating base at Belfast International Airport over the next two weeks. That decision is likely to result in the loss of 160 jobs. The airline currently employs 310 people in the North.
British Airways had said that its subsidiary and franchise operations to eight other UK destinations would continue as normal from Northern Ireland. However, it warned it was reviewing its existing network on a week-to-week basis and it would "quickly address further issues as and when they arise to protect the business".
The airline's subsidiary, British Regional Airlines, plans to consolidate its Aberdeen, Cardiff and Manchester services from the recently opened £21 million sterling (€33.53 million) Belfast City Airport.
But British Airways staff fear the continuing slump in the airline sector could lead to further job losses in the North.
In contrast British European Airways, formerly known as Jersey European, plans to increase its scheduled services from Northern Ireland to the UK. It is going to add two extra services each weekday on the Belfast to London City route and has recently taken over the Belfast to Newcastle service previously operated by Gill Airways.
The airline said it also plans to increase its Belfast to London Gatwick service to seven flights per day once slots become available at Gatwick.
Sir Reg Empey, the North's Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, yesterday told the Northern Ireland Assembly that he believed the economy remained strong, despite the recent series of job warnings.
Meanwhile Genesis Breads, the Co Derry-based bakery, plans to invest £1 million sterling over the next 18 months and increase its workforce by 50 people. The company, which currently employs 135 people in Magherafelt, said it was expanding because it had seen strong growth in its sales to the Republic.
